How to Nickel Plate Without Electricity

Nickel plating without electricity, or electroless nickel plating, is possible through chemical reaction. The nickel adheres to the item to be plated and produces a nontoxic coating of even density over the entire plated surface. Items to be plated can be metal or plastic. Electroless nickel plating is not as strong as plating with current, so use electroless nickel plating on items that are not regularly subjected to hard use.

Things You'll Need

• Double nickel salt
• Sal ammonia
• Aluminum foil
• Water
• Pot large enough to immerse the item to be plated
• Heat source
• Hot soda water
• Anti-tarnish chemical
• Eye protection
• Rubber gloves

Instructions

1. Clean the item to be plated thoroughly so the nickel adheres properly. Immerse the item in hot soda water and scrub. For items that need deeper cleaning, a degreasing solvent or a descaling acid agent may be necessary.

2. Dissolve equal parts of double nickel, salt and sal ammonia in water.

3. Heat the nickel plating mixture to near the boiling point.

4. Immerse a piece of aluminum foil and the item to be nickeled in the heated nickeling mixture. Make sure the item to be nickeled and the foil touch.

5. Allow the electroless nickel plating chemical reaction to take place. The reaction happens immediately.

6. Rinse the nickeled item in clear water to remove the nickeling chemicals.

7. Dry the nickeled item.

8. Prevent future tarnishing of the nickel plating. Coat the nickeled item with an anti-tarnishing chemical, such as trisodium phosphate or chromate.

9. Rinse the nickeled item in clear water to remove the anti-tarnishing chemicals.