A 1911, Engraving, Nickel Plating and You.

[Panzercat]

Been having an interesting discussion with a peep concerning an engraving project, but have reached the limits of my knowledge on the topic. I'm hoping you can help. I've been tapped to engrave the slide of a 1911 like the one pictured below.

While this may seem fairly straight forward, my technique is hardly standard. I freehand engrave using a dremel tool and while I'm certain I can execute his request, its the second part of his plan that has me scratching my head.

He plans to nickle plate the pistol afterwards. Pakerization goes bye-bye, of course but my engraving is very, very shallow; literally scratching the surface. My question then becomes what will happen to the engraving? Will the process of plating cover the design? Any idea how it will show through if its not completely obscured?

Inquiring minds want to know since this mind would rather not experiment on the purdy 1911 without at least a clue as to what I'm getting into. Thanks all.

 

[NOLAEMT]

it would depend on the process used.

I know robar, who's NP3 is a type of nickle plating, claims that their process adds negligible size to parts, and can be used on sears and hammers, etc.

 

[bannockburn]

Panzercat

I really couldn't say for sure but a lot would depend of course on the depth of your engraving and the thickness of the nickel plate. I have had several nickel and chrome plated guns and have also worked on them while making some basic modifications (like changing out thumb safeties, slide stops, mainspring housings, and grip safeties). I did encounter quite a lot of surface build up on a RIA M1911 that was nickel plated, especially on the frame itself. On some places of the frame the fit was extremely tight and I had to carefully file and sand some of the areas to get the part to fit in there properly.

Would it be possible for this person to trade/sell their parkerized M1911 for one that is made out of stainless steel? That way you could do your engraving and then polish the stainless with something like Mother's Mag Polish to give it a bright shiney appearence, making it look very much like it was nickel plated. Hope this helps somewhat with your problem and let us know what else you might come up with.

 

[robinkevin]

I would contact Jack @ http://www.gunsmith.fuselier.com/ I see on his site he is retiring and reducing ammount of work he is taking in...

His nickel plating is kinda matte tho... either way I am sure he can give you some insight at the very least.

 

[tominct]

I don't think he'll get enough build-up to fill the engraving. However, it's very likely that the polishing process will take enough metal away to erode part of your design.
Maybe he could get polished about 90% and then do your engraving?