Easy DIY Nickel Electroplating - Electro Plating Made Easy

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In this video I describe the easy process of electroplating using nickel, it is the same process which can be used for copper plating and uses readily available household products.
With some tool restoration projects coming up which would benefit from nickel plating I wanted to share with you my journey to setting up this simple but effective process. Hopefully you will be able to use this knowlegde to then restore tools, machine parts or other metal objects. Please like and subscribe so we can build the channel and bring you more of the videos you enjoy.
To help us keep the channel going please visit our merchandise store where you can buy a wide range of DIY Dave products.
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Restore and Make is dedicated to the restoration of antique and vintage tools, if ever we find an interesting tool we will video the process of it's repair and show, in depth, what we do to restore these fascinating parts of history. We also have a great interest in the outdoors and bushcraft and will bring you short informative films on that subject as well.
#nickelplating
#electroplating
#skills
#craft
#craftskills
#hobby
#hobbyskills
#copperplating
#plating
#handcraft
#traditionalskills
#nickel
#copper

[@queenbeeautumn]

Thanks for the info, really helpful video, have you tried brush plating with this kind of solution?

[@restoreandmake]

Hi Michael, thanks for the kind comment, I’m glad you liked the video, I’ll look more into brush plating, so watch this space, as I feel a new video coming on😊👍

[@wilburnmckay6227]

😁😊

[@My-video-quality-is-Sadvideo.]

@@wilburnmckay6227 ল

[@houstonfirefox]

Are you sure those are crocodile clips? They look a lot like alligator clips to me... ;^)

[@restoreandmake]

Howdy Houston Firefox, you may well have a point, alligators are smaller than crocodiles😂👍😊

[@cicciobau]

😂 😂

[@tomwarner5331]

Nar it’s a croc 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@alllove1754]

Due to the majority of the world being familiar with crocs, I wondered if Brazil has caiman clips...

[@cranegantry868]

Crocodile clips have sharper teeth.

[@jackrichards1863]

Clear practical communication of the process . Ideal for young or laymen to either do it or learn about, the conversion. Very well accomplished 😄

[@طالبعباس-ق3ع]

ماهي المواد نيكل ناري اشتريها وامزجهن كل مراء 🍌🍓🍉🍌🍉❤️

[@Mollyz1117]

thank you! I enjoyed the video. Made me giggle as well as teaching me something. :o) Can pieces that have worn nickel plating be cleaned and replated, or do you have to (somehow) remove the old plating?

[@طالبعباس-ق3ع]

كيف اصنع محلول بلمنزل نيكل ناري 🍓🍉🍌🍉❤️

[@Sugarsail1]

5:00 why would you assume this is nickel sulfide considering there was no sulfur containing compounds in your solution what would give rise to sulfide synthesis? I suspect that is actually oxides of nickel which would form as a side reaction on the electrode that isn't bubbling hydrogen.

[@projectproject.jffjff3806]

im so stoked! 😂 love this tutorial. Will try to apply this to the bokts on my project cars and bikes restoration

[@طالبعباس-ق3ع]

ماهي المواد نيكل ناري اشتريها وامزجهن كل مراء 🍌🍌🍓

[@jollyroger7624]

Them soderers in the coonies certainy know how to confudde the Engish.anguage.

[@williamellis3961]

In the us we call them alligator clips.

[@mrdanger4851]

Was that a Mr Carlson reference? Solder

[@AndrewBoundy]

Great demo. Seen several others and they all make it complicated - for a few nuts and bolts, this'll do perfectly. Buen trabajo amigo - increíble (just to represent some other comment options ;)

[@restoreandmake]

Hi Andrew, thank you so much for your kind comment, I'm really glad you liked the video👍😊

[@martymar1]

Does this put nickel on copper plate?

[@Juice556]

How durable is it

[@Rudy97]

I attempted this. The colors of the positive and negative wires in the charger cable were swapped. Ended up etching the surface of my part and contaminating the solution with iron. It still plates when I sorted out the polarity but it's very dull gray. Not great for watches and that sort of work but makes custom parts for my scooter engine look cast.

[@restoreandmake]

👍😊

[@rerrostyle7655]

I have this thing on my exhaust pipe and i just wonder can be cleaned?

[@restoreandmake]

Hi RERRO Style, danke für Ihren Kommentar. Ich denke, wenn Sie den Artikel gut mit Bremsreiniger reinigen, damit kein Fett oder Schmutz darauf ist und der Artikel aus Stahl oder Edelstahl besteht, sollten Sie ihn plattieren können. Wenn möglich, versuchen Sie zuerst einen Bereich, der nicht normal zu sehen ist, nur um dies zu überprüfen👍😊keep up the great work on your channel😊👍

[@stevenfox7378]

I assume the phone charger is putting out 5volts but at what ampereage? Great video BTW.

[@restoreandmake]

Hi Steven, thanks for the kind comment and thanks for the question, the charger is an old Nokia ACP12X it states the output as 5.7V DC at 800mA👍😊

[@andrean3465]

I have a problem during the electroplating process where the nickel doesn't want to stick to the workpiece?? do you have a solution for my problem??

[@whatevernamegoeshere3644]

5:52 The only acid that is true for that you might ever encounter is really concentrated sulfuric acid, otherwise it's untrue. In your case, with hydrochloric acid, which btw is already an aqueous solution, it's almost unnoticable. On the other hand NaOH is a strong base and it gives off a lot of heat when dissolved. It's not about something being an acid, it's about the process being exothermic. Hell there are solutions that get colder when you make them!

[@phool289]

Sir you are great please tell me what is the exact voltage volts for plating 3.4. or 5v ?

[@نمرمحمد-خ3ب]

How many volts does it need?

[@dwayneburbridge3283]

Very cool! The negatively charged plate is the Anode while the positively plate is the Cathode. Well done!

[@restoreandmake]

Hi Dwayne, thank you so much for your kind comment, I'm really glad you liked the video👍😊

[@you238]

@@restoreandmake ​ Easy way to remember: cathode...cat...cats have paws...pawsitive...positive. Unless you're charging a battery or electroplating, then it's backwards.

[@Guillo78]

I guess i am nickel plating my cheap ar bolt and bcg

[@restoreandmake]

Hi Guillermo, thank you for your great comment, I'm sure whatever you plate will turn out great and you'll be really happy you did it😊👍

[@hulkgqnissanpatrol6121]

Is there a way to make the "platers pickle" WITHOUT acid?

[@SuperFredAZ]

You can save a step and buy Nickel Ammonium Sulfate (same place as you bought the Nickel) and start with plating solution

[@lgulenay2171]

Does it work with iron or Steel?

[@restoreandmake]

Hi Levent Gülenay, thanks for your comment, you may have trouble with iron or cast iron but you should have no problem with steel providing you clean it properly👍😊

[@user-xb5zu6zu7j]

I like your polish glass ;)

[@restoreandmake]

Hi S, thank you for your great comment, I'm so glad you liked the glass😊👍

[@mikegermain7033]

Fine job my friend I'm stoked!

[@restoreandmake]

Hi Roxanne and Mike, thank you for your kind comment, I'm so glad you liked the video and found it helpful👍😊

[@thehowtochannel1993]

I am hooked , i love the way you explain the science behined all the processes. One little small advice , i come from Romania Bucharest, i grew in Italy Rome , i live in London England, wherever i come from this world , science and math is the same . In italy 2+2 = 4 so please cut off the last comment . I know is a reference to maybe Australia or new Zealand or usa but actually 50% of the human population understand english , and 30% speaks it , 20% maybe at a native level.

[@restoreandmake]

👍😊

[@johnr5252]

Will that process work with gold?

[@czowieklasu2449]

Polska beer glass! Thumb up straight at your doorstep my friend just for that :D well.. for the entire video as well but a nice touch nonetheless :)

[@restoreandmake]

Hi Pawel, thank you for your kind comment, I'm so glad you liked the video 😊👍Cześć Pael, dziękuję za miły komentarz, cieszę się, że polubiłeś ten film👍😊

[@czowieklasu2449]

@@restoreandmake np. I'm a DIY freak myself, especially when it comes to restoration projects ;) but never tried plating before, have to give it a go one day. You're video makes it super easy and it's well presented. All the best on future videos!

[@vaibha2]

How many days will it last?

[@tortron]

Forever in a sealed container

[@retrogamestudios6688]

From one pole to another nice glass mug

[@muratcakr5640]

I did more or less the same but my parts are always dull, how do i get it shiny?

[@idontcareaboutyou7757]

what kind of metal did you plate? it looks brass. does it work with any metal? i tried alloy but it didn't work, did i make some mistake or simply alloy no good for electroplating? thanks

[@restoreandmake]

Hi idontcareaboutyou, yes the metal plated in the video is brass, as for your alloy, my research seems to show that most alloys, certainly of aluminium, should accept nickel plating fairly well, just make sure everything to be plated is super clean and grease free😊👍

[@idontcareaboutyou7757]

@@restoreandmake hi, i tried to nikel plate alluminium but nope, nikel don't stick to it at all, even super clean. but I didn't try yet zinc. just to integrate your nice video with some more informations.

[@hacoc455]

Wow. Amzing ! Thank you so much !

[@restoreandmake]

Hi Huỳnh Hiệp, thank you so much for your kind comment, I'm glad you liked the video👍😊

[@Ashraf_Bokhari]

Thank you for this informative video. How do I know it is time to change the solution and make a new one?

[@marianajera3562]

I want to know too, thanks

[@274pacific]

The committee will also accept “please as punch”

[@donotblinkagain]

Is this the same as nikasil? Can i use this to coat my motorcycle cylinder?

[@tortron]

Nikasil is nickel and silicon carbide, the silicon carbide is very tough which is what makes it wear resistant. The nickel is used to carry the SiC

[@glenncalzada1707]

Chuffed to Nuts!! Absolutely!! Can I plate multiple pieces at the same time or must I do one piece at a time?

[@restoreandmake]

Hi Glenn, thank you for your great comment, I see no reason why you shouldn't be able to plate more than one item at a time, just make sure they don't touch each other on the cathode wire, please watch my other video on the use of a surfactant and I also now use a magnetic stirrer I bought cheap on ebay to keep the solution agitated whilst it plates, the combination of all these does a great job👍😊

[@glenncalzada1707]

@@restoreandmake thank you so much! I am restoring an old wood box that has metal corner caps and I wanted to chrome plate them. But your method has shown me that nickel plating is just as attractive and a lot safer and easier. I am encouraged and anxious to get started. Thanks again for your videos and keep up the good work!

[@johnnycash4034]

Does it stick properly to graphite coats? I know not using a acid bath method with copper leads to very weak plating.

[@restoreandmake]

Hi Johnny, thanks for your great question, unfortunately I don't have any experience of plating graphite coatings, I'm sure there must be a video on KZbin showing this being done, good luck with your research 👍😊

[@royalrevue23]

Damn ur nickle came out shinny

[@Wayank]

salam by #wayank channel

[@restoreandmake]

Hai Wayank, terima kasih banyak atas komentar baik Anda, thank you so much for your kind comment, I'm really glad you liked the video😊👍keep up the great work on your channel👍😊

[@Bart_Depestele]

thank you

[@EFreeman1970]

Hi, I loved your video! Can you nickel plate manganese bronze? Thanks

[@restoreandmake]

Hi Elaine, thank you so much for your kind comment, I'm really glad you liked the video and found it useful. With regards plating manganese bronze, my limited research seems to indicate that you should be able to, if it's possible to try it on an unseen area first that might be worth a try, generally if it doesn't work too well the nickel plate can be polished off without too much trouble😊👍

[@xushenxin]

why it is dull?

[@buscoverdad]

Because there are not brigtheners in the formula. You can use a bit of saccharine (sweetener) to get some bright.

[@thehowtochannel1993]

I know it's hard and time consuming to do those videos but pls next gold plating :)

[@restoreandmake]

Great idea👍😊

[@tharwatismail9263]

Thanks so so so so so so much

[@pgoessnitzer]

Great tutorial and straight to the point! I just joined and look forward to exploring your video library. Cheers from Oregon!

[@restoreandmake]

thank you for taking the time to make such a kind comment👍😊

[@Robbedoes2]

Great! This should work excellent for soldering iron tip coating

[@phool289]

That's great you are great love you from Pakistan

[@restoreandmake]

Hi ziaullah, thank you so much for your kind comment, I'm really glad you liked the video, it's great to have you on board😊👍آپ کے تبصرہ کرنے کے لئے بہت بہت شکریہ

[@allinalladityan318]

I did the same procedures as u did, but,Why did my solution came out a brownish color?

[@Abdulqadir.ballaky]

thanks for your work, I would like to coat some part of an oil machine, the oil machine will be heated as he has heater may we heat under 200 C, is this high temp have an effect or not, the second this will be used for food is it ok for using from food processer machine

[@Chimkent-d8n]

Очень интересно,

[@kashukumar1497]

Hallo sir I am Indian how to start nical planting

[@restoreandmake]

Hi Kashu, thank you for your comment, I hope you found the video helpful👍😊

[@madushankaratnayake4094]

how to found nickel strip at home??

[@restoreandmake]

👍😊

[@joeycottone7755]

Awesome

[@kaushaladayawansha570]

How long does this last? Please reply me thank you .

[@maxim25o2]

Lapka w gore za polske. :)

[@restoreandmake]

👍😊

[@ramizkarakoyun7503]

Very helpful video, thank you. Wondering if i can plate the tip of a nichrome wire because i cant solder the wire as it is.

[@MG-lh5tw]

Hello is it possible to nickel plate zamak type 5? If so is the process the same as shown in this video or are there any extra steps to take to be able to plate that particular metal succesfully?

[@jmvenus]

Did you measure the diameter with 0-1 inch micrometers to see what thickness nickel was add to the part? Can you do this to carbon steel as well?

[@houstonfirefox]

I'm Gobsmacked with the results!

[@restoreandmake]

Hi Houston Firefox, thank you so much for your kind comment, for a first attempt I was really happy with the way it worked out😊👍

[@thehowtochannel1993]

Next video gold plate pls.

[@restoreandmake]

👍😊

[@williamnewhart3023]

What do you use for a surfactant ?

[@restoreandmake]

Hi William, thanks for your comment and question, if you watch part 2 of the nickel plating video it will explain what I used😊👍kzbin.info/www/bejne/fp-agYutibqBrpI

[@francisvazquez13]

Guess waiting time is 30 minutes?

[@restoreandmake]

Hi Francis, thank you for your great question. It's difficult to tell how long the process will take, your own solution strength may be stronger or weaker than mine, the electrical supply may be more or less powerful and the item being plated may take the nickel better or worse than mine. The best answer is to check it every two or three minutes to see if a nice even coat is being applied😊👍

[@roblake3350]

Great video and explanation 👍

[@AXDefender]

Can this apply in a vice versa manner on steel or instead of nickel can brass be applied?

[@VWPassat_3BG]

Does zinc uses the same procedure ?

[@restoreandmake]

Hi Clayton, thanks for your question, yes the process is the same, there are quite a number of Zinc specific videos on KZbin but in essence it's the same process as shown in my video, good luck and look forward to seeing the results on your channel👍😊

[@VWPassat_3BG]

@@restoreandmake thank you very much :) do i have to plate the part nickel first and then zinc? Or just straight to zinc

[@martinlouden9005]

Very informative without a load of unnecessary garb'!

[@restoreandmake]

Hi Martin, thank you so much for your kind comment, I'm glad you liked the video, I really hope you found it useful😊👍

[@jackrichards1863]

@@restoreandmake What are surfactants in the case of nickel plating? Does adding surfactant greatly complicate this simple application or is it simply dropped into solution.

[@SyntaxMSU]

Which surfactant do you recommend?

[@restoreandmake]

Hi SyntaxMSU, thank you for your great comment, I used sodium lauryl sulphate in my follow up video, please check it out, it worked really well👍😊keep up the great work on your channel👍😊

[@SyntaxMSU]

@@restoreandmake Thanks just watched the video. I'll see if I can get away with a little dawn dish soap or toothpaste. I also have some mycellar water around if those don't work. Love your channel!

[@buscoverdad]

I would recommend a drop of liquid hand soap or a bit of laundry detergent. It will stop the accumulation of bubbles in the plated piece having a better covering and will make a foam blanket to avoid the gas to the atmosphere.

[@mikeghfawaz4547]

im making the Nickel Electroplating now using spoons as plates i ll wait 30 hour to see the result , thank you

[@restoreandmake]

Hi Mike, Good luck!👍😊

[@ynystwca5592]

I learnt a couple of new things from this. Well done!

[@restoreandmake]

Hi Ynys Twca, thanks for the kind comment, I'm glad you found the video helpful😊👍

[@anthonysinclair5721]

Excellent job professor! 👍😎

[@restoreandmake]

Hi Anthony, thank you everso much for your kind comment, I'm really glad you liked the video and I hope you found it useful😊👍keep up the great work on your channel, I can't wait for this years garden tour, all being well the greenhouse is finished by now😊👍

[@anthonysinclair5721]

@@restoreandmake I slacked off on the 2020 garden tour , my daughter and tour guide is 14 now and she 'wasn't into it' lol , and I didn't make it happen. I'll try better this season. Yes the greenhouse was finished and has been used for a season now. 😎

[@restoreandmake]

@@anthonysinclair5721 that's great news, your place looks idilic and what a brilliant wood pile👍 With four teenage sons I know exactly what you mean😂up to the age of twelve they're more than happy to help, now, no chance😂😂

[@raosahab8382]

Thanks for sharing.

[@restoreandmake]

thank you so much for your kind comment, I'm really glad you liked the video👍😊

[@TravisTellsTruths]

Am stoked

[@restoreandmake]

😊👍

[@tibeti15]

Thank you for the information!

[@restoreandmake]

Hi tibeti15, thank you so much for your kind comment, I'm really glad you found the video helpful😊👍

[@farhanansari5125]

Can I do on pistol

[@soeyeyint8656]

Very clear

[@restoreandmake]

thank you so much for your kind comment, I'm really glad you liked the video😊👍

[@TheRealStephenAllen]

chuffed mate

[@commentsedited]

Impressive

[@fatehsingh1864]

Good job

[@restoreandmake]

Hi Fateh, thank you so much for your kind comment, I'm really glad you liked the video😊👍

[@gagansidhugagana2590]

Very helpful video thanks bro

[@restoreandmake]

Hi Gagan sidhu gagana, thank you for your kind comment, I'm glad you liked the video and found it helpful 👍😊

[@thehowtochannel1993]

Omg , your explanation is very concise , very well made video . Although if i may suggest you could speak a bit faster . Not to much though because some information might be lost if you speak too fast. So just a bit :) i wish you good luck, all the best and marry Christmas

[@restoreandmake]

Hi, thanks for your great comment, I'm really glad you liked the video👍😊

[@sebastienc8797]

Heya. Where do you manage to find the nickel plate ? Tia :)

[@restoreandmake]

Hi Sébastien, thanks for your comment, I got mine from Ebay, search "Nickel anode",www.ebay.co.uk/itm/High-Purity-Pure-99-5-Nickel-Ni-Plate-For-Electroplating-Anode-4-x4-Element-Br/233623727708?hash=item36650f2e5c:g:ECcAAOSwLIZd32Pl Hope this works and good luck👍😊

[@sebastienc8797]

@@restoreandmake merci!

[@sumalsebastian]

Is the anything cheap and easy to avaoid bubbling effect on the cathode?

[@restoreandmake]

Hi Sumal Sebastian, thanks for your question, you can try a couple of things, first a surfactant as described in my part 2 video kzbin.info/www/bejne/fp-agYutibqBrpI or you could try a magnetic stirrer which start at around $20 on ebay, both work well and even better when used together😊👍

[@Resto-Rob]

Good tutorial.

[@restoreandmake]

Hi Rob, I'm glad you liked the video, it's important for me that I explain everything clearly, so we can all grow our knowledge and skills😊👍