Rope clutch refurbishment.

[Hoohaa]

I I have 10 of these old run Stan rope clutches which I want to refurbish. They work fine when they've been cleaned up. But I could do with some advice on refurbishing the handles they are Nickel over brass.
In the process of bringing them back I removed 90% of the nickel coating. The brass look doesn't look too bad I'm wondering if there are ways are there to feel the brass maintain their shine and look .
Any ideas I have heard of clear lacquer. I can also DIY nickel plate them.
Does anyone have any other suggestions.
Thanks.
Attachment 1

[stormalong]

Why not get them re-plated with chrome?

[Hoohaa]

Originally Posted by stormalong

Why not get them re-plated with chrome?

Because the thieves wanted $80 per handle and a six month lead time.
I'll do it myself an learn something in the process.
Admittedly i've not bothered to get a second quote mainly because I don't want to dismantle them any more than there current state and the guy at the company doesn't know how to answer questions without treating the customer like a moron. (sorry. rant over)
Any plating company will almost certainly require me to separate the handle from the mechanism.

[Hoohaa]

Ready to reinstall for the weekend.
I'll take them back off again to finish them next week.
Has anyone had any experience putting a clear coat over polished brass?

[stormalong]

Originally Posted by Hoohaa

Because the thieves wanted $80 per handle and a six month lead time.
I'll do it myself an learn something in the process.
Admittedly i've not bothered to get a second quote mainly because I don't want to dismantle them any more than there current state and the guy at the company doesn't know how to answer questions without treating the customer like a moron. (sorry. rant over)
Any plating company will almost certainly require me to separate the handle from the mechanism.

$80 and six months is ridiculous, I see your point. I would think you could take one apart for the purpose of getting quotes.

Ask your local motorcycle custom shops who they use.

Clear coating is a waste of time - it will not last.

An alternative that is used to make a gold like finish is Titanium nitrate. It is used on boat lighting fixtures to give a permanent finish. It has been marketed as LTF, or life time finish. It is also used to coat drill bits, etc because it makes a very hard, long lasting finish. I have no idea if this can be done locally but it may be worth some research.

Here is the wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanium_nitride

[Hoohaa]

Thanks for the advice on the clear coating.
I've already ordered some nickel and will probably go ahead and nickel plate it myself.
I don't want to dismantle them anymore than they already have been. It would require nocking out and renewing the pins.
I don't have replacements. Yes I could make some but it's an extra step that I'm hoping to avoid.
I'll probably get another quote just to confirm that mob were having a lend of me.
Had a quick look at the nitrite. I think it's a bit beyond me.
I'll post the results of the nickel plating next week when I get it done.

[tkeithlu]

Second negativwe on the clear coating. It works for awhile on my big brass bell, but would fail very quickly on something you handle.

Truckers also use chrome shops.

Googling "Chrome Plating" showed me six shops in Florida alone. Not exactly Australia, but I suspect that the influx of American servicemen in the Second World War extended this technology to the Aussies.

[AKA-None]

Would powder coating work?

[Hoohaa]

Update.
I've gone down the nickel plating path.
See if you can spot the difference.

[AKA-None]

Did they copper plate after the acid bath or straight to nickel?

[Hoohaa]

Originally Posted by AKA-None

Did they copper plate after the acid bath or straight to nickel?

I used.
Acetone to degreas
Water rinse
0.1/1 Hydrochloric acid pickling. (No coper plating)
Water rinse
Then into the nickel plating. 20 min rotated.

They needed a buff when they came out.