How do i remove plating?

Wayne B. · Post by **Wayne B.** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 2:38 pm

I just found an old Pflueger Oceanic that is a plated model. Literally half of the reel is just brass with no plating. I would like to remove the rest of the plating to make it all brass...just for display and conversation. What is a good way to remove the plating?

Rick H · Post by **Rick H** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 5:02 pm

Wayne...white vinegar/water (50/50), ought to peel most of it away.

Wayne B. · Post by **Wayne B.** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 5:07 pm

Rick:

For how long?

Wayne

Rick H · Post by **Rick H** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 5:16 pm

Just let it soak over-night. A solid 8 hour soak is gonna let that vinegar do it's thing. There may be some plating left in spots, but a little steel wool should get it off. Uhhh...ya can't hurt it, at this stage.

PS: They look really nice in brass, polished up.

Wayne B. · Post by **Wayne B.** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 8:53 am

Soaked all night, plating is still there and hard as ever. Is the plating nickel or chrome? I might have to resort to more drastic measures, especially if it is chrome.

Rick H · Post by **Rick H** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 8:59 am

Should be nickel plate. I'm at a loss.

Deke...ANYONE!?

Post by **john elder** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 12:35 pm

hi, Wayne...out of the loop mostly of late. You might look at Mike Cacioppo's article on Ray's restore of the Commander Ross reel in the Reel News that should be landing in a day or 20. In that one, they had a machinist pull off some plating, but with that reel, there's NS hiding under, so more worth the effort. My guess is that you will have to use similar heroic efforts to get that plating off.

Wayne, my advice is to Pick Your Battles! Lots of energy involved in this clean-up and MHO is that you are better off putting that effort into a reel with more potential...write this one off with the famous line, "it is what it is" and leave it there!

je

Wayne B. · Post by **Wayne B.** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 1:24 pm

I am just bull headed. I try to think that something can always get done, someway.

But, after a day or so trying to make a paper weight out of a reel I have $0 in probably has hit a dead end. Thanks for bringing me to my senses.

While I say this, I have the foot soaking in a 50/50 muriatic bath. There may be nothing left tomorrow, but I have nothing now. Parting it out tomorrow!

Wayne

m3040c · Post by **m3040c** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 2:12 am

Wayne,

To remove chrome plating you need to use abrasives or a powered wire wheel. If you have access to a sand blaster, that can save you some time. After that is done, then the polishing begins. It is labor intensive. As long as you do not mind spending the time and effort, it is possible. If the base metal is brass, you will have a strange looking reel when all is done.

Wayne B. · Post by **Wayne B.** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 6:52 am

Mike:

This was just an exercise. The reel was in very bad cosmetic shape. After some cleaning and lubing it is a great reel to bounce around on the boat. No monetary value but still a very functional reel. On my website, I call it the Ugly Duckling. It has a shortened foot, someone messed up the logo on the head-plate, and most of the chrome is gone. But, does it ever get comments! Take a look.

Wayne

Rick H · Post by **Rick H** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 8:41 am

She's RICH lookin' Wayne! I really do like 'er the way she is. If you want 'er down to brass one of these days, send it to me and I'll do that for ya.

m3040c · Post by **m3040c** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 10:51 am

Hey Wayne,

Don't tell Rick I said this, but since he offered, you should let him restore this reel, he does beautiful work.

Wayne B. · Post by **Wayne B.** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 12:15 pm

Rick,

Thanks for the offer. But with the mangled foot and the logo and model number 90% gone, I'm just going to fish it.

Nobody else has a reel like mine! LOL

Wayne

Rick H · Post by **Rick H** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 1:28 pm

That's what it was built for and it's nice that it'll still get that job done. Enjoy it...(offer stands).

Post by **john elder** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 1:29 pm

Wayne: I may have a replacement foot for that reel...what size is it you need?

Wayne B. · Post by **Wayne B.** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 2:44 pm

John:

Width 1-7/8"
C/l of screws 3/4"

Brass or chrome? (Just kidding)

Wayne

Post by **john elder** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 3:12 pm

I'll c what I have tonight...no yardage indicated on foot?

Wayne B. · Post by **Wayne B.** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 3:24 pm

John:

Whomever owned this reel prior to me polished with 400 grit sandpaper (maybe not that bad) but I think the foot says 250. Relative to the size of my 300, that seems about right. Maybe 200 but I don't think so.

Wayne

Rick H · Post by **Rick H** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 7:36 pm

Wayne...don't know if you ever saw this thread. All things considered, polished brass base isn't bad in comparison to the way they start out sometimes. This is my "brass reel".

I think this is the "beautiful work" Mike is eluding to...eh Mike?!

http://reeltalk.orcaonline.org/viewtopi ... highlight=

Post by **john elder** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 8:32 pm

Sorry, Wayne! I have two Oceanics in need of help, but both are 350 yd size!

stevenm · Post by **stevenm** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 8:44 pm

Wayne, i've found a decent way to remove finishes. It's very effective and does'nt murder the brass underneath: It's a soft flexible plastic wheel that is very good at delicate removal/cleaning. Theres different grits too!

http://www.dremel.com/en-us/Accessories ... +Polishing

I use the fine grits for finish removal, and the heavier grits for jeweling as shown: