What could cause this damage to a nickel finish?

[valencia]

I shot my new Rogers and Spencer London Grey finish (which is a nickel plate) BP for the first time this weekend. When I got home I put the cylinder in a cup of hot water with a little dish washing soap (the normal stuff for hand washing) for 30 minutes then cleaned it and rinsed it. When it was dry I found the plating was badly damaged. I am pretty sure it was badly plated but I would like your opinion on this as I am trying to get a replacement from the dealer as I cant see it being my fault!
The finish is pitted and rough in places (as viewed under 10X and 20X jewelers loupe) and judging from the shape and position of the spots it looks like it wasnt cleaned properly before plating the final layer - you have to put copper on steel first then nickel and if you dont clean properly you get problems!
They are saying it was either the detergent causing a reaction or residue from the gunpowder making a corrosive solution so its my fault (no replacement!). Sorry I just dont see that as possible.

Please let me know what you think!

 

[White Walker]

Hoppe's bore cleaner will remove Nicket finish.

 

[DoubleDeuce 1]

I agree with White Walker. But to me it also looks like the part was contaminated during the coating process. Dish washing soap even on steroids couldn't do that.

 

[dogrunner]

And Hoppe's will only attack nickle if the finished item is left in it for an extended period of time, ie: all night. Carried a nickled M/19 Smith for way over 20 years as a leo......cleaned that gun with Hoppe's when it was shot, NEVER had any problem with that finish. My take on Op's post is that the gun was improperly finished to begin with. Don't have any idea as to civil procedure in Spain, but if here I'd file in a small claims court and I bet I'd win.....One thing's for damned sure....soap and water DID NOT DO that damage!

 

[noelf2]

That looks like a splash pattern to me. Somehow something splashed on the gun in the finishing process. What I think? I think I wouldn't be giving them my business anymore.

 

[Oldschool shooter]

If dish soap did that, I would be afraid of what my insides looked like after eating off plates and using silverware washed with that stuff!

 

[valencia]

Thanks for the support! I am hoping the dealer will do a replacement as he has a good reputation.

 

[valencia]

The dealer has told me to try shooting and cleaning it again but not to soak it and clean it under running water insted. He said that either the soap could be the problem or (ridiculous) that the small amount og powder residue formed an acid solution while it was soaking which caused the damage. Neither sound very likely and I have seen exactly the same pattern of damage before on a plated object that was definitely caused by lack of cleaning during the plating process.
If it comes down to it I will buy a new cylinder and do most of my shooting with the old one!

 

[PapaG]

Back after the Ruger Old Army came out, I got one of the first ones. A year later I had a local bluer/plater nickel it as I thought it would be easier to clean/inspect for cleanliness. Shot a match in Burlington, IA, one hot, humid summer day, drove home to central IL and no more than six hours after shooting it, when I went to clean it it was already starting to pit.
I find it very unusual for any original b.p. firearm with original nickel to look pristine. Black powder works its devious wonder on nickel.
I had my ROA stripped and reblued. Then I traded it for a stainless one.

 

[Skinny 1950]

I doubt that it is even Nickel plated, Nickel is a silvery-white element and is fairly resistant to corrosion. Could be a generic naming of the finish by the maker.
I think I would be more concerned with the timing of the action, looks like the bolt is dropping a bit too soon.