New Barung... Chromed? Help!

Montino Bourbon · 14th July 2014, 05:42 PM

I sanded the blade with rough, then fine, then very fine, then tried etching it with FeCl. This is the result I don't know if I'm looking at laminations or at partly-removed nickel plating. The chrome is all gone. The dark area at the top is where the plating was gone and the blade corroded from before I had it. Opinions?

Ian · 14th July 2014, 07:33 PM

That looks like lamination to me, but hard to say. The differential oxidation is a problem and I think the only way to deal with it will be more abrasion and polishing. Sorry, but I think you are in for more work on this one. Should look great when you are finished.

Ian.

Sajen · 14th July 2014, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

That looks like lamination to me, but hard to say. The differential oxidation is a problem and I think the only way to deal with it will be more abrasion and polishing. Sorry, but I think you are in for more work on this one. Should look great when you are finished.

Ian.

Agree complete with Ian!

Shakethetrees · 16th July 2014, 06:05 AM

If we look closer, the blade has some oxidation,but no nickel plating. The ferrule might have some issues, but I see the general tone of this forum is to go for a heavy handed, (read sanded) approach. If we are preserving things that are, and will never, be made again, we need to think before we act.

There are chemicals that will take care of this without disturbing original surfaces. Brownell's, a large gun smithing tool supplier, is a resource. An electro less nickel stripper is available that works. If a piece is chrome plated, no problem, as when it is chrome plated, it is first nickel plated.

I have been working in metal restoration professionally for thirty years. This is the only solution that I would use here. I have had many successes with it. It only removes the plating, no rust or oxidation will be affected.

It costs about $65 US, not including shipping. I just stripped a Damascus blade that was ground and polished smooth, then chrome plated. When it was clean, there were no other issues, other than having to re-etch it to bring out the pattern.

The chrome layer is thin, and slowly the nickel will be dissolved, lifting off the chrome. Works every time!

Robert · 16th July 2014, 06:41 AM

Shakethetrees, Thank you very much for reminding me of this product. I had tried to order some of this a couple of years back and was told by the local gunsmith that I work with that it was no longer available because of shipping restrictions. I just googled it and found that it is still available but can only be shipped to locations in the U.S. That is not a problem for me but it could possibly be for other forum members not living in this country.

Best,
Robert

Montino Bourbon · 17th July 2014, 03:52 AM

I have been told by Battara to stop right where I am. I agree; I don't want to ruin it by over-processing it.

Thank you for the Info; I have other blades that might be nickel plated.

14th July 2014, 05:42 PM	#1
Montino Bourbon Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, California Posts: 301	I sanded the blade with rough, then fine, then very fine, then tried etching it with FeCl. This is the result I don't know if I'm looking at laminations or at partly-removed nickel plating. The chrome is all gone. The dark area at the top is where the plating was gone and the blade corroded from before I had it. Opinions? Attached Images

16th July 2014, 06:05 AM	#4
Shakethetrees Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Louisiana Posts: 363	Barung If we look closer, the blade has some oxidation,but no nickel plating. The ferrule might have some issues, but I see the general tone of this forum is to go for a heavy handed, (read sanded) approach. If we are preserving things that are, and will never, be made again, we need to think before we act. There are chemicals that will take care of this without disturbing original surfaces. Brownell's, a large gun smithing tool supplier, is a resource. An electro less nickel stripper is available that works. If a piece is chrome plated, no problem, as when it is chrome plated, it is first nickel plated. I have been working in metal restoration professionally for thirty years. This is the only solution that I would use here. I have had many successes with it. It only removes the plating, no rust or oxidation will be affected. It costs about $65 US, not including shipping. I just stripped a Damascus blade that was ground and polished smooth, then chrome plated. When it was clean, there were no other issues, other than having to re-etch it to bring out the pattern. The chrome layer is thin, and slowly the nickel will be dissolved, lifting off the chrome. Works every time!

17th July 2014, 03:52 AM	#6
Montino Bourbon Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, California Posts: 301	Thank you, Shakethetrees! I have been told by Battara to stop right where I am. I agree; I don't want to ruin it by over-processing it. Thank you for the Info; I have other blades that might be nickel plated.

14th July 2014, 07:33 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,398	That looks like lamination to me, but hard to say. The differential oxidation is a problem and I think the only way to deal with it will be more abrasion and polishing. Sorry, but I think you are in for more work on this one. Should look great when you are finished. Ian.

16th July 2014, 06:41 AM	#5
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Shakethetrees, Thank you very much for reminding me of this product. I had tried to order some of this a couple of years back and was told by the local gunsmith that I work with that it was no longer available because of shipping restrictions. I just googled it and found that it is still available but can only be shipped to locations in the U.S. That is not a problem for me but it could possibly be for other forum members not living in this country. Best, Robert