Bright, satin, black and period correct polished nickel for hardware, fixtures, gaming trim and restorations, plus the nickel layers that sit under quality chrome. Prepared, plated and inspected under one roof.
The Classic Finish, Done the Old Way
Before chrome became common, nickel was the bright metal on everything from cash registers and soda fountains to hotel door hardware. It has a slightly warmer, softer tone than chrome, closer to polished silver than to the blue white of a chrome bumper. That warmth is why designers and restorers still ask for it by name.
Electroplated nickel is deposited with an electric current, which lets us control the look precisely. Brighteners in the bath produce a mirror finish straight from the tank, while a brushed or bead blasted surface underneath gives a calm satin glow. A black nickel bath turns the same process into a deep smoky gray for modern hardware and accents.
Nickel is also hard working metal. It resists corrosion and wear far better than bare steel or brass, and it is the layer that gives decorative chrome most of its protection and depth. Many of the parts that leave our chrome line spent more time in the nickel tank than in the chrome tank.
If you are unsure whether your part needs nickel, chrome or electroless nickel, send a few photos and tell us how it will be used. We will explain the difference, recommend a finish and quote it in writing.
Slide the handle across each photo to compare the part as it came in with the finished nickel.
Before
Ornate cast panels with worn, flaking nickel and green corrosion in the recesses. Stripped, hand polished to keep every scroll sharp and replated in polished nickel to match the original look.
Before
Handle collars and cabinet trim dulled by years of hands on the gaming floor. Polished out and plated in bright nickel so every piece in the bank of machines matches again.
Before
Forty pulls in three different worn finishes. Stripped, brushed with the same grain direction and plated in satin nickel so the whole kitchen reads as one matched set.
Six nickel processes cover almost every request we receive, from a single antique latch to a full order of matched hotel hardware.
A brilliant, mirror reflective nickel that comes out of the tank already shining. The go to finish for fixtures, trim and display pieces that need sparkle without the cool tint of chrome.
Nickel over a brushed or lightly blasted surface for a quiet, even sheen. Popular on cabinet pulls, plumbing trim and door levers because it hides smudges and everyday scuffs.
A dark, smoky gray nickel with a soft metallic depth. Used for modern hardware, lighting and accent pieces, usually over a bright nickel base and protected with a clear topcoat.
Hand buffed nickel with no chrome on top, the way parts were finished in the early 1900s. The right choice when a restoration should look original rather than modern.
A thick, leveling layer of bright nickel under decorative chrome. It provides most of the corrosion protection and the deep shine people credit to the chrome itself.
A thin, highly active nickel layer that breaks through the oxide on stainless steel and similar alloys, so the plating that follows bonds tightly and does not lift.
Three finishes that are often confused. They share a base metal but differ in how they are applied, how they look and where they perform best.
One heirloom or several hundred matched pieces, every nickel order moves through the same five stages.
Send photos, the quantity and the nickel finish you have in mind, or ask us to suggest one.
We identify the base metal, note any repairs and reply with pricing within 24 business hours.
Ship them with your quote number or drop them at our Oceanside shop during business hours.
Old plating is stripped, dents and pits are worked out and the surface is polished or brushed.
Parts are nickel plated, checked for color and coverage, packed carefully and sent back.
From gaming floors to century old cash registers, nickel finishes from our shop are working all over Southern California.
Slot handles, cabinet trim, chip rails and bar fixtures replated in bright or satin nickel to stay crisp under constant use. Casino resorts across North County San Diego trust us to keep their gaming floors looking new.
Door levers, room numbers, bar foot rails and service hardware matched across an entire property.
Faucet trim, shower fittings, towel bars and accessories refinished to match new polished or satin nickel fixtures.
Cash registers, soda fountain parts, scales, stove trim and clocks returned to their original nickel finish.
Brass cleats, hinges and interior fittings nickel plated to resist the salt air along the Southern California coast.
Production parts that need a clean, corrosion resistant nickel finish delivered on schedule, batch after batch.
Nickel can go on almost any metal, but the cleaning, activation and first layer change with every base material.
Nickel protects steel from rust far better than paint. Rusted parts are stripped and polished first, and pitted areas are filled with copper before nickel goes on.
The classic base for nickel. Most antique hardware and plumbing trim is brass underneath, and it plates cleanly once old finishes and tarnish are removed.
Common in slot machine trim, faucets and newer hardware. It gets a copper strike before nickel, and careful prep keeps the finish from blistering later.
Treated with a zincate dip so nickel can bond, then plated like any other metal. Used for lighter trim, housings and decorative castings.
Receives a nickel strike to break through its natural oxide film. After that, any of our decorative nickel finishes can be applied.
Solid copper takes nickel very well. Unusual alloys are reviewed one at a time, so send the alloy name or a photo before shipping.
Nickel has been part of our daily work since 1989. Collectors, interior designers, casino maintenance teams and manufacturers rely on us because we prepare every surface properly before it ever touches the nickel bath.
Send a photo of your part and receive a no obligation quote within 24 hours.
Every part leaves our shop backed by our craftsmanship guarantee. If you are not satisfied, we make it right.
One antique latch or a pallet of hardware, shipped to us from any state and returned insured.
Most projects are completed within 3 to 5 weeks. Expedited Orders: 5 to 7 business days. Contact us for availability.
A complete list of the nickel finishes and supporting services we handle in our own shop.
Restorers, homeowners and companies keep coming back because the finish is right the first time.
Not sure what your part needs? Send us a photo.
We'll tell you what the metal is, what it takes to bring it back and what it costs. A written quote usually comes back within 24 business hours, and there's no obligation.
A nickel finish is only as good as the work done before plating. These are the standards every order is held to.
Old nickel, chrome and lacquer are fully stripped so the new nickel bonds to clean metal instead of a failing layer.
Nickel magnifies whatever is under it. Every surface is polished or brushed to its final texture before plating.
Hardware sets are plated and inspected together so tone and sheen stay consistent from the first piece to the last.
Finished parts are individually wrapped and boxed so the nickel arrives free of scratches and fingerprints.
Matching Nickel and Keeping It Bright
Store bought fixtures labeled polished nickel or brushed nickel vary a lot between brands. Some are true nickel, some are nickel colored coatings, and the tone can lean warmer or cooler. When you want existing hardware to match a new faucet or light, send us the new piece or a clear photo in daylight and we will tune the polish and sheen to get as close as possible.
Unlike chrome, nickel without a topcoat can slowly develop a faint yellow haze, which is part of its vintage charm. Restorers often want exactly that. If you prefer the finish to stay bright, ask for a clear topcoat, or consider chrome over nickel for parts that live outdoors.
Day to day care is simple. Wipe nickel with a soft cloth and warm water with a drop of mild dish soap, rinse and dry it so water spots do not form. A gentle non abrasive metal polish can bring back the glow on uncoated nickel once in a while.
Avoid bleach, ammonia, scouring pads and harsh bathroom cleaners. They can dull or stain the surface, and on coated parts they break down the clear layer. If a finish has worn through to the brass or steel underneath, we can strip and replate it.
Nickel Plating Gallery
Bright, satin, black and vintage nickel on cabinet pulls, slot machine trim, antique registers and marine fittings.
Customers in every state mail us hardware, fixtures and antiques for nickel plating. Follow these steps so your parts arrive safely.
Email photos of each part and the nickel finish you want. We reply with a written quote and lead time, often the same business day. Please wait for a quote number before you ship.
Wrap every piece on its own in bubble wrap or foam so nothing rubs, and leave three inches of padding around the contents. Keep small screws and escutcheons together in a labeled bag.
Declare the full value with your carrier and email us the tracking number so your parts are checked in the same day they arrive.
Once the nickel is finished we send photos for your approval, then pack everything in new materials and ship it back fully insured.
All nickel work is stripped, polished, plated and inspected at our own shop in Oceanside, in North County San Diego.
Nickel, chrome, copper and metal finishing in San Diego County since 1989.
Drop your nickel project at the shop if you are in Oceanside, Vista, Temecula, La Jolla or anywhere nearby. Farther away? Parts arrive at our door by mail from all over the country.
Choose your city for local nickel plating details, turnaround times and drop off options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to what people ask most before sending parts for nickel. Need something else? Call the shop or send us a message.
Most of the cost is preparation. A clean brass knob needs a light polish, while a rusty steel part or a set of pitted die cast trim needs stripping, filling and hours of buffing. Size, quantity and finish choice matter too. Send photos and we reply with a written quote within 24 business hours.
Chrome plating is a very thin layer of chromium applied over nickel. Nickel alone has a warmer, slightly golden silver tone, while nickel with chrome on top looks cooler and bluer and resists tarnish completely. Many restorers choose plain nickel because it looks correct on parts made before the 1930s.
No. Electroplated nickel uses an electric current and is mainly chosen for its decorative finish. Electroless nickel is deposited chemically, coats holes and threads evenly and is chosen for wear and precision parts. We offer both and can tell you which one fits your part.
Uncoated nickel can slowly develop a light yellow haze over months or years, especially in humid air. Regular wiping keeps it bright. If you want it to stay brilliant with little care, ask about a clear topcoat or chrome over nickel.
Usually, yes. Retail finishes vary, so the best approach is to send the new fixture or a daylight photo along with your parts. We adjust the polish and grain to match it as closely as possible.
Yes. We regularly refinish slot handles, cabinet trim, rails and bar fixtures for casino resorts in North County San Diego. Parts can be scheduled in batches so the gaming floor is never short of equipment.
No. Send the parts as they are and we will strip the old nickel, chrome or lacquer in house. Please remove glass, wood, rubber and electrical components if you can, or let us know and we will quote the disassembly.
Yes. We plate parts for customers across the country. Request a quote first, then ship with tracking and insurance. Finished pieces are photographed for your approval and shipped back insured.
