How to Clean Nickel Plated Metal

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Things You'll Need

  • Water

  • Ammonia

  • Steel wool, grade 0000

  • Soft cloth

  • Metal or chrome polish, Simonize or similar

Nickel-plated metal provides an attractive finish--when it is clean and free of tarnish. Nickel-plated metal was a popular choice in the past for decorative trim on items like wood stoves and other pieces that would be considered antiques today. If you have some old nickel-plated metal that needs attention, use a method that has proven to be successful in restoring nickel-plated metal to its original, shiny finish.

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Step 1

Prepare a solution of 1/2 water and 1/2 ammonia in a container large enough to place the nickel-plated items.

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Step 2

Submerge the items in the solution for 30 minutes. Remove the items from the solution and scrub them with steel wool grade 0000. Dry them with a clean, soft cloth. Repeat until the nickel-plated finish is clean.

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Step 3

Rub a non-abrasive metal or chrome polish, such as Simonize, on the nickel-plated finish. Buff it well to restore it to a shiny finish.

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