On Dec 2, 7:38*am, "Paul K. Dickman" wrote:
Most silverplate made in the last 150 years have a substrate of either
nickle silver or pewter or a combination of the two (cast pewter feet and
trims on a nickle body)

The nickle does not need a copper subplate. If it has pewter on it, the
pewter needs to be struck with a sulfate copper plate and some nickle to
keep the copper from absorbing the silver.

Cyanide silver plating builds up well and (unlike chrome) does not need to
have the old plate stripped. With moderate finishing a worn spot can be
overplated thick enough to be polished to invisibility.

If your wear exposes pewter, it becomes a much bigger pita.

$1500 is a lot of bread though.
We used to have 2 silverplaters here in Chicago. One was real expensive and
did the most beautiful work you have ever seen. They closed up and the
building is a toxic waste site.

The other does decent work at a decent price. They do most of the work for
the hotel and restaurant trade.

http://www.baroquesilverplaters.com/

I normally do brush plating touch up for the antique dealers around here,
but that is for looks, not longevity.
When they need more extensive work I send them there.

I have never actually used them myself, but the work I've seen was never
embarrassing.

Paul K. Dickman

"Lloyd E. Sponenburgh" lloydspinsidemindspring.com wrote in messagenews:Xns9CD555A664C8Flloydspmindspringcom@2 16.168.3.70...

Wifey has a small silverplate gravy bowl which has been discontinued by
Oneida, and is/was in need of re-plating. *A local shop claimed to have
re-
done it, but in fact _painted_ and buffed the inside, rather than actually
stripping to copper (or filling) and re-plating.

She priced the work at a museum conservator's shop, and ducked back out
the
door upon hearing his $1500 price. *She'd like it done, but figures the
piece was only worth about $150 new, so it doesn't make sense to spend
more
than that having it re-done.

Anyone here do this pro/semi-pro?

LLoyd

Thanks for telling why you need the copper and nickel first. I always
wondered but never got around to looking it up.
Karl