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

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Plating of steel to look like polished brass

In researching many sites, I have not found any that indicate you can plate steel to look like polished brass. I have to make a steel cross that is 6' x 8' appear to have a polished brass look. Help!

Mary Lou Dauray
interior design - Sausalito, California, USA
2006

2006

It may or may not be necessary to polish and buff the steel first, depending on its condition, but what you are seeking is accomplished by nickel plating the item (for brightness) and then brass plating. It is a fairly common plating process, and not exotic. However, you would need to either find a plating shop which has a brass plating tank large enough to immerse this item, or you would need to go with brush plating.

Another alternative would be nickel plating followed by a brass colored electrophoretic lacquer. This should give you sufficient background to be able to talk to plating shops about the project.

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

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