'Over the counter' plating removal

[jwhiskercut]

I've searched and read, but other than expensive chemicals, is there an 'over the counter' method of removing plating from a razor? I have an old handle and head that the plating is not very good on. I'd like to take the plating off and polish it. I've read about oven cleaner for the laquer, but nothing on the plating.

Anyone have experience with this? What were your results? I've polished the plating off the head of gold razors, but haven't not been successful with the knurling on handles, nooks and crannys, etc.

 

[flycbyrd]

I've searched and read, but other than expensive chemicals, is there an 'over the counter' method of removing plating from a razor? I have an old handle and head that the plating is not very good on. I'd like to take the plating off and polish it. I've read about oven cleaner for the laquer, but nothing on the plating.

Anyone have experience with this? What were your results? I've polished the plating off the head of gold razors, but haven't not been successful with the knurling on handles, nooks and crannys, etc.

is it gold or silver if its silver why not just restore the plating with the baking soda and aluminum foil method..

 

[cfriend]

is it gold or silver if its silver why not just restore the plating with the baking soda and aluminum foil method..

To my knowledge, this method doesn't restore damaged plating, only clean/polish silver.

 

[Radar O\'Reilly]

I've searched and read, but other than expensive chemicals, is there an 'over the counter' method of removing plating from a razor? I have an old handle and head that the plating is not very good on. I'd like to take the plating off and polish it. I've read about oven cleaner for the laquer, but nothing on the plating.

Anyone have experience with this? What were your results? I've polished the plating off the head of gold razors, but haven't not been successful with the knurling on handles, nooks and crannys, etc.

IIRC, when plating, they sandblast metal with walnut shells before washing to remove all oils, then the plating begins.

 

[jwhiskercut]

IIRC, when plating, they sandblast metal with walnut shells before washing to remove all oils, then the plating begins.

Interesting.... I have access to a sand blaster and that type of blast media. I wonder how much pitting it would cause on the head. Anyone have any experience with this?

 

[Radar O\'Reilly]

Interesting.... I have access to a sand blaster and that type of blast media. I wonder how much pitting it would cause on the head. Anyone have any experience with this?

I should clarify that above should have read:
"...sandblast metal with walnut shells, before washing to remove all oils..."

But I think since the walnut shells are softer than the metal, they shouldn't cause pitting like sand or glass beads would, I think.

 

[braxis]

I used brasso and a buffing wheel on a drimel

 

[cooncatbob]

http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/metalx.html

 

[nemo]

Boiling in vinegar/water 50/50 takes nickel off pretty quick.

 

[jwhiskercut]

Thanks for all the info guys! I have a few random ideas I wanted to try on razors, but they all require getting the initial plating off. If one of these ideas works well, I'll update you. If they fail, you'll never know it happened.

Rest assured, I'll be using non-functional razors as guinea pigs.

 

[onotoman]

This is the stuff professionals use. It'll remove nickel but not chrome or Rhodium

Also, once stripped and polished what are you planning to do? If you leave it brass/copper the razor will tarnish after your first shave ore even before it if you leave it in air. This is why razors etc are plated with a metals like nickel, chrome, gold and other non-tarnishing finishes.

Best wishes

Dave

http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/metalx.html

 

[jwhiskercut]

This is the stuff professionals use. It'll remove nickel but not chrome or Rhodium

Also, once stripped and polished what are you planning to do? If you leave it brass/copper the razor will tarnish after your first shave ore even before it if you leave it in air. This is why razors etc are plated with a metals like nickel, chrome, gold and other non-tarnishing finishes.

Best wishes

Dave

Well, I was thinking of powder coating a handle, just to have someting colorful. I have several heads that are in good shape, but the handles were stripped. I'm still not sure I'll do it, but if I do, I need to have a clean base to start with.

 

[onotoman]

I'm not sure how durable powder coating would be, but it would be fun to give it a try on a non-adjustable I suppose. I'd think that with an adjustable the paint would clog the workings too much.

Anodising would be another finish worth experimenting with.

The MetalX stripper is fantastic for stripping nickel - but possibly expensive unless you are going to strip a lot of razors

Well, I was thinking of powder coating a handle, just to have someting colorful. I have several heads that are in good shape, but the handles were stripped. I'm still not sure I'll do it, but if I do, I need to have a clean base to start with.

 

[jwhiskercut]

I'm not sure how durable powder coating would be, but it would be fun to give it a try on a non-adjustable I suppose. I'd think that with an adjustable the paint would clog the workings too much.

Anodising would be another finish worth experimenting with.

The MetalX stripper is fantastic for stripping nickel - but possibly expensive unless you are going to strip a lot of razors

Thanks for the info. The handles I have are 3-piece type handles. I wouldn't dare try it on any TTO or adjustables. I may not dare to try it on stationary.

On the MetalX, I agree for my purposes the cost ratio may be a little steep.

Anodizing sounds interesting. I'll have to read up on that and see what my options are.

 

[maxman]

I've got an old tech that is just in horrible shape. I really wonder what the previous owner did to it to make it look this way. I've looked around at removing the plating and I'm still not sure how to proceed.

I found the best information on the Caswell plating forums so far.

I'm not worried about messing it up, I just want to try it. The razor is plenty messed up already.