Plating questions

Hello all,
I am also thinking of having some handcuffs replated. These are some old cuffs and I have noticed that the plating is very thin and tends to flake off. I am figuring back in the early 1900's to around the 30's or 40's the processes were better. Now I have read that you can do straight nickel plating on steel. Now I know when they plate chrome that they will flash copper plate on the steel to give the chrome something to stick to since there is no natural affinity to steel but a good one to copper. I am wondering if flashing with copper plate and then applying the nickel would be better and less likely to flake off. Anyone with experience in this area?

-Dorson

Hi, Nickle plated is what the old cuffs were. Nickle has direct contact and bond with the steel.

Chrome plating is put on over with copper or nickel plate and will flake in time if the surface is damaged, hit bumped etc.

Go with nickel only and you cannot go wrong.

Ian

Hello all,
I am also thinking of having some handcuffs replated. These are some old cuffs and I have noticed that the plating is very thin and tends to flake off. I am figuring back in the early 1900's to around the 30's or 40's the processes were better. Now I have read that you can do straight nickel plating on steel. Now I know when they plate chrome that they will flash copper plate on the steel to give the chrome something to stick to since there is no natural affinity to steel but a good one to copper. I am wondering if flashing with copper plate and then applying the nickel would be better and less likely to flake off. Anyone with experience in this area?

-Dorson

I think it is a mistake to replate antique and collectible cuffs. I think it takes away from their value and in the case of a really old cuff like a Prov. Tool or Phelps, it decreases the value by quite a bit. The replating seldom looks like the original.
Stan

Hello all,
I am also thinking of having some handcuffs replated. These are some old cuffs and I have noticed that the plating is very thin and tends to flake off. I am figuring back in the early 1900's to around the 30's or 40's the processes were better. Now I have read that you can do straight nickel plating on steel. Now I know when they plate chrome that they will flash copper plate on the steel to give the chrome something to stick to since there is no natural affinity to steel but a good one to copper. I am wondering if flashing with copper plate and then applying the nickel would be better and less likely to flake off. Anyone with experience in this area?

-Dorson

The reason I am considering doing this is that there is so much plating gone in the first place and it looks awfull. I was also surprised as to how soft the metal is on the 1st and 2nd model Peerless cuffs... I obtained a bunch of them that are in such bad shape, I am going to pull the locks apart and clean the inside and all the internal parts and put them back together. They are gummed up with dirt and rust as to be unreliable. I managed to unjam the locks on them but they are sticking...

-Dorson

Hello all,
I am also thinking of having some handcuffs replated. These are some old cuffs and I have noticed that the plating is very thin and tends to flake off. I am figuring back in the early 1900's to around the 30's or 40's the processes were better. Now I have read that you can do straight nickel plating on steel. Now I know when they plate chrome that they will flash copper plate on the steel to give the chrome something to stick to since there is no natural affinity to steel but a good one to copper. I am wondering if flashing with copper plate and then applying the nickel would be better and less likely to flake off. Anyone with experience in this area?

-Dorson

Stan, in your opinion, do you think I should have the Colt cuffs replated or not? The cuffs look great except for the one side that is just plain ugly from flaking. I have two mint pair, one side key and the other center, and wanted to use this pair on duty. I don't know if getting them redone could actually make them worth any less, but I don't buy a lot of vintage cuffs ,per se, anymore. Thanks for the opinion,
Tim

Hello all,
I am also thinking of having some handcuffs replated. These are some old cuffs and I have noticed that the plating is very thin and tends to flake off. I am figuring back in the early 1900's to around the 30's or 40's the processes were better. Now I have read that you can do straight nickel plating on steel. Now I know when they plate chrome that they will flash copper plate on the steel to give the chrome something to stick to since there is no natural affinity to steel but a good one to copper. I am wondering if flashing with copper plate and then applying the nickel would be better and less likely to flake off. Anyone with experience in this area?

-Dorson

Hi tim, I know your question was directed at Stan, but I also agree with Stan that old cuffs shouldn't be replated. Two options are avaiable both of which should keep the value of your cuffs and stop you looking a falking plating.

First. Sell you cuff and upgrade to a better conditon handcuff. The Colt has some value and many people want them. However it may take some time to get a better one.

Second, use a polishing mop on a bench grinder and polish the unplated areas until they blend in with the plated area. The whole cuff will be shiny and line between plated and unplated won't be as visable.

Ian

Hello all,
I am also thinking of having some handcuffs replated. These are some old cuffs and I have noticed that the plating is very thin and tends to flake off. I am figuring back in the early 1900's to around the 30's or 40's the processes were better. Now I have read that you can do straight nickel plating on steel. Now I know when they plate chrome that they will flash copper plate on the steel to give the chrome something to stick to since there is no natural affinity to steel but a good one to copper. I am wondering if flashing with copper plate and then applying the nickel would be better and less likely to flake off. Anyone with experience in this area?

-Dorson

I agree with Ian. While the Colt is hardly a rare cuff, it can be found in Mint condition. I like my cuffs in "original" condition, so I don't buy replated items. I do know some collectors who replate almost everything and I think it is a mistake. If you want to use them on duty and don't care about the collector value, then that's a different story.
Stan

Hello all,
I am also thinking of having some handcuffs replated. These are some old cuffs and I have noticed that the plating is very thin and tends to flake off. I am figuring back in the early 1900's to around the 30's or 40's the processes were better. Now I have read that you can do straight nickel plating on steel. Now I know when they plate chrome that they will flash copper plate on the steel to give the chrome something to stick to since there is no natural affinity to steel but a good one to copper. I am wondering if flashing with copper plate and then applying the nickel would be better and less likely to flake off. Anyone with experience in this area?

-Dorson

Hello all,

I have a different but related question. Recently I received a nice Clog Shackle. The restraint is painted black. I am almost sure that the painting is not original, as the padlock is painted black, too. Or are there factory made black Clogs? If not, does anybody know a good way to remove the paint without endangering the shackle?

BTW: I have no key for the padlock The padlock is made by "Reese" and it is 4.4 cm wide and 3.8 cm high with keyhole on the lower side. Any ideas how to get a matching key?

Regards,
Guenter aka Atame

sings "I see a shackle and I want to paint it black…" argh, I can't get the song out of my mind now!

Hello all,
I am also thinking of having some handcuffs replated. These are some old cuffs and I have noticed that the plating is very thin and tends to flake off. I am figuring back in the early 1900's to around the 30's or 40's the processes were better. Now I have read that you can do straight nickel plating on steel. Now I know when they plate chrome that they will flash copper plate on the steel to give the chrome something to stick to since there is no natural affinity to steel but a good one to copper. I am wondering if flashing with copper plate and then applying the nickel would be better and less likely to flake off. Anyone with experience in this area?

-Dorson

Do you have any pictures to help us see what you are talking about?

Hello all,
I am also thinking of having some handcuffs replated. These are some old cuffs and I have noticed that the plating is very thin and tends to flake off. I am figuring back in the early 1900's to around the 30's or 40's the processes were better. Now I have read that you can do straight nickel plating on steel. Now I know when they plate chrome that they will flash copper plate on the steel to give the chrome something to stick to since there is no natural affinity to steel but a good one to copper. I am wondering if flashing with copper plate and then applying the nickel would be better and less likely to flake off. Anyone with experience in this area?

-Dorson

Here it is...