[Fatelvis]

Has anyone ever saw, or had a nickel finish on a revolver flake, or come off? What causes this?

[Ledbetter]

Hoppes #9 or some other ammoniated cleaner has probably seeped under the nickel finish through a nick, crack or worn area.

Most electro-nickel finishes are applied over a layer of copper (enhances conductivity). The ammonia attacks the layer of copper underneath the nickel and the nickel starts flaking off.

[WebHobbit]

Yep, sure have. I've also seen chrome do the same. That's why I prefer stainless. Plus I just LOVE Hoppes #9.

[mainmech48]

Yep. That's one reason that I like "electroless" finishes. I have an old Star M43 9x19 with the "Starvel" finish that's had more than 6K rounds through it and been cleaned with about every solvent commonly available. Absolutely unaffected.

Ditto my Witness 9x19 "Wonder Finish" full-size. Over 9K and still fine.

The conventional nickel plating on the bbl bushing and guide rod base of my Para C7.45 started flaking off after the second cleaning, and "no" I don't soak them. Fortunately, the plated parts are SS, but why they plated them in the first place is still a mystery.

[9mmepiphany]

electroless will also flake if you leave it sit covered in hoppes #9

i've even got a NP3'd mag, that someone let sit too long with hoppes, that has it's finish coming off

[dfariswheel]

Nickel is just prone to cracking, chipping, peeling, and flaking.
It doesn't require being soaked in solvent.

Take a look at most any older nickeled gun, and if its seen any use at all, the finish is flaking off.
Nickel really isn't a very durable finish.

[Ala Dan]

It could be that the firearm in question wasn't
properly "primed" with a thin layer of copper; OR
that the surface became contaminated during the
nickeling process?

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member