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Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ

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Stripping Cadmium Plating from handbags

Hi there!

My company manufactures handbags. The trims for these bags are first nickel plated and then given a thin coat of cadmium (I think!) and finally lacquered for a rich 22 carat gold type of look. We have a stock of these trims which are now a few years old and partly discolored. What can I do about these. Recoating these in cadmium is too expensive. Is there any process by which I can strip the cadmium and use them as nickel colored trims?

Kumar Ramchandani
Ladies Handbag Manufacturer - Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
2004

2004

Hello, Kumar. Until you know what the finish on your hardware is, all predictions about how to strip it or what will happen when you do is idle (and possibly dangerous) speculation. Please find out what this coating, which you think is cadmium, actually is.

I tend towards doubting that the aesthetic value of the stripped nickel underlayment will be satisfactory, but now I'm speculating. A local plating shop could strip a random dozen for you and then you'll have a better idea. Good luck.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

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