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How to know which metal an antique is made from

April 1, 2009

Hi I am looking into plating as a part time hobby and have bought a small kit to begin with and manuals etc ,1 question I have is how do I know which metal I am going to work with ? Say I start a business and someone brings me an antique to restore, what is the 1st thing I do ? Is there a chemical kit I can buy to see what the metal is on the piece I have to work on ? or does this just come with experience over time with trial and error in my own workshop ?

Thanks a lot for any replies

Chris

Chris B
hobbyist - No. Ireland

Most of metal testing kits are expensive .Very good book on that subject is Metals and Corrosion-A handbook for conservation professional by Lyndsie Selwyn.Some Old(but useful and download free) microchemistry books you can find at www.archive org website.Hope it helps and good luck1

Goran Budija
- Cerovski vrh Croatia
April 7, 2009

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April 9, 2009

A plating business will require years of experience and a substantial money investment before you ever see a penny of profit. Not to mention environmental concerns. I am not saying you can't do it. Just do lots of research, get to know people in the business and try to get some practical experience in a plating shop before you start spending money. Starting a plating business requires a strategy. You can't start small with little five gallon buckets and work your way up. You will nickel dime yourself to death that way.
You will also need to take a few years to learn how to polish metal, too.
Before you do anything you may want to talk to whatever environmental agencies you have in your country. I do not know about Ireland, but in the USA the Environmental Protection Agency is tough and unforgiving. Not to mention a few of the local agencies.

Frank DeGuire
- St. Louis, Missouri, USA

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The question you should be asking is....
What happens when I replate a valued antique and the process goes wrong? ....and one day it will.
The cost of replacing it will probably far exceed any profit you may make and it is not unknown for disputes to end up in the courts.
If you are serious about setting up a business, I suggest that you contact the NI branch of the Institute of Metal finishing and attend a few of their meetings and talk to platers. Ask them to tell you about the project to replate the golden dome on the mosque in Jerusalem.

Geoff Smith
Hampshire, England
April 10, 2009