The Nickel Plater   ~

~ Beautiful high quality electro-plating for discriminating modelers worldwide ~

What do you do at 'The Nickel Plater'?

• I re-plate with nickel, the original plating material, worn engine drivers/wheels and other small parts!

Why?

• When the original wheel plating wears off, your wheels become more susceptible to dirt contamination which impedes electrical pickup and that can effect operation. Replating renews the original conductivity and dirt resistance of the driver...

How do you do it?

• Basically, my preferred method is to first ultra-sonically clean your wheels. After they are dry, I mask the wheels with a clear lacquer. This is polished off the tire which is then buffed to a high shine/lustre. The higher the shine before plating, the higher the shine on the final plated product. By putting a clean item to be plated into the plating solution, the chance of any contaminants getting into the solution and becoming part of the plating on your tire is infinitely reduced...resulting in a superior final product! I filter all solutions after every plating...it is the only way to get the quality that I demand and you expect...
• NOTE ... Your original wheels...if well plated..are plated to a depth of about 0.001". Many are not done to this depth and as a result, the original plating wears off quite quickly. I electro-plate to a depth of 0.001"...matching or exceeding original equipment!

                                                                                            Can I send you painted drivers?

• Yes. Once plated, on a painted set of wheels the lacquer is removed from the axle for electrical conductivity. The lacquer is not removed from the drivers themselves as that would damage the paint job. I will apply Dullcoat to the wheels if you choose to reduce any residual shine... 

What about unpainted wheels?

• On unpainted wheels, the lacquer is entirely removed from the wheels and axles...

Are there any pitfalls to this process?

• Not always will the worn wheels be able to be polished and buffed up to the original shine. If there are nicks, dings or scratches in the wheel sets you send to me, I may not be able to take these all out without damaging the wheel, in which case I will polish the wheel as best as possible then plate. While you may still be able to see the scratches and nicks, rest assured that they are plated and will cause you far less trouble than before...

So I will get wheels back from you that look like new?

•  You will get wheels back which look far better than the ones you sent to me and in most cases the difference between new and replated would be quite indiscernible to the naked eye. BUT, in all cases, it is a replating of the original...close...but no banana. I like bananas...

                                                                                                    MOST IMPORTANT...

• The electrical properties of the newly plated wheels will virtually mimic those of new drivers...The finish is as hard and durable as the original factory plating...

What do you charge?

• $45.00 labor minimum plus $25.00 per axle plus a $35.00 material fee to cover the dramatic cost increase in Nickel Plating supplies plus $25.00 USPS Priority Mail back to you.

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How about satisfied customers? Here is a sampling...

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Ray from St. John's, Florida,

"Hi Phil,

I just wanted to reach out to let you know how pleased I am with the plating work you completed on the wheels for my 0-6-0.   I was frankly stunned at the difference the plating made on not only the appearance, but the performance of the locomotive. The plating was totally worn off, down to bare brass, now the locomotive looks and operates better than new.  

I couldn't be more happy with the quality work and the finished product you provided. I know that additional work was required due to the condition of the wheels, but the additional labor was well worth it in my opinion. Additionally, the continuous feedback with status of the project was truly appreciated.  It was a pleasure to work with you, and you made the entire process enjoyable and stress free.

Thank you so much for your great work, and I look forward to doing business with you again in the future.

Respectfully,

Before and After...

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Bob from Texas,

"Phil, I got the re-plated wheels and I am really impressed. They look better than new!"

Before and After...

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Pete from Redlands, California...

"Great job plating my wheels, Phil. My old PFM Climax now runs far better than it ever did with the factory brass wheels  -wheels that needed to be cleaned every fifteen minutes or so if you wanted good consistent continuity. Looks a lot better, too! (Real locomotives seldom had brass wheels as I understand it.)"

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Mark from Durango, Colorado... 

"Yes you did a darned good job there, very pleased. It hasn’t reached a stage further as yet but if I can endorse your work and your care as you work with your customer I surely will be glad to."

"My HOn3 Westside SPNG 9 came to me as a non runner, not quite a basket case, but in need of work. It had obviously had a working life rather than one in a display cabinet as the wheels were badly worn, right down to the brass. In fact initially, I had thought about re-plating them myself, but in the end, common sense prevailed and I approached Phil to do the work for me. I’d seen him at a couple of National Narrow Gauge Conventions and had heard he did a good job. Once I called and talked to him, all sorts of questions came up that I would never have thought of. He was certainly thorough and wanted to make sure I got exactly the re-plating job that I wanted. The wheels on their axles were sent off. Phil phoned to say he’d received them and give a progress report. A few days later he called again to say that the work had been completed and that the wheels were going in the post that day. They arrived shortly afterwards and I have to say I was delighted with the results. I had thought that I would have to put up with worn treads and the poor running associated with them but they looked like new. In some respects, it’s a pity to have to paint them but I’m a runner, not a collector and the good work will, at least, partially disappear under a coat of paint. Needless to say I would use Phil’s service again and recommend him to those whose wheels need a shot of rejuvenation."

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Dave from Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin...

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Bill from Lancaster, California...

”Phil,

I received the drivers today. They look GREAT! I'll be installing them next week. Thank you very much...”

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Roger from Flagstaff, Arizona...

”Phil,

The wheel sets showed up today and they look great.

Thanks again...”

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Chris from Baltimore, Maryland...

”Hi Phil,

The wheels arrived!  I tried twice on Tuesday with no luck.  I was able to get to my PO box again on Thursday and picked them up.  They look great! The frame is apart because I have to add poling pockets to the rear end beam.  Once I finish that I can reassemble.

I'll keep you posted.

Thanks,”

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Dave from Prescott Valley, Arizona

”Phil,

I received the newly plated wheel sets today. They look simply fantastic. They are the finishing touch to my customers engine restoration. Looking forward to doing business with you again, soon...

Cheers mate,”

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Robert from Alliance, Ohio...

”Phil,

I did receive the Climax on Friday. I have tested it and she runs fine, really silent and smooth.

Sincerely, Robert”

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From the Yahoo 'Brasscollectors' group 032015...

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Richard from...

”Who can replate  drivers? I have some that the plating is flaking off and I want to get them looking new again…”

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Bill from Lancaster, California...

Richard,

”Check out shayfixer.com. He does excellent work but it is a bit pricey…”

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Chris Irek from 'Irek's Toy's & Trains', Sachse, Texas…

”Yes, I second that. He does good work. It may seem pricey, but the price of chemicals isn't going down....”

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Len from Auburn, California...

”As others have already stated, Phil Floyd is the only one that I would trust with a plating job. You must realize however, that the process is not simple. It involves relatively expensive chemicals, extensive cleaning and a good deal of tedious masking. All very time intensive.

Timing of your need is not good as I understand that Phil recently had surgery on his shoulder and will be out of action until about the first of May. If you can wait, your patience will be rewarded with superior craftsmanship.

Be well,”

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