nickel plating? anodizing?

[semperfidelis354]

looking into nickel plating, bought my wife an RIA 38 super today, she wants it to be black and silver, actually I think some guys have them here, not RIA but the more expensive brands.

so I figure getting the the RIA in black then nickel plating the bottom might be a cheaper way to go

so has anyone here done it? I see youtube videos on it and it doesn't seem like that hard but I'm looking at the solutions and they seem quite pricey.

has n e one gotten a nice silver out of anodizing? probably so, but I definitely don't have the funding for that, or if n e one is in the redlands area that can come in with the assist would be awesome, thanks!

p.s. I looked all over caswell's site electroless nickel plating looks good to go as well that doesnt look too bad either.

[semperfidelis354]

.............bumpity...............

[Josh]

anodizing is for aluminum.

It is a colorless so the silver color is the aluminum color.

If you dont mind some work you can always polish the steel just make sure it stays well oiled to prevent rust.

The cheapest way to get that look would be some type of paint/epoxy coating. If you want a nickel plated firearm save a little and send it in to fords guns.

The best that i have personally seen for brilliant finishes such as bluing and polished chrome or nickle.

[crowbar1]

Electroless nickel is the way to go. It plates VERY even. Non-electroless (aka "bright nickel") will not coat near as uniform. It will "throw" to the edges of parts from the electric current used to apply it.

A plating shop will charge you $65-$85 for a small batch. A little more money if they have to strip and polish first.

The cost of the chemicals and equipment to do it at home will not pencil out unless you have alot of parts to do, and odds are, you will have a steep learning curve!

Leave the nickel plating to the pros....