I wanted to replate the surface on a the top contact from a contact switch in a 20's radio set. Since I didn't have any nickle at hand I tried zinc. I had a broken zinc anode easily obtained from a boating supply store.
The ingredients are easy to find. White vinegar, a pinch of salt and a bit of sugar. I mixed these up in a small container and used an old pc power supply to supply a 5vdc supply. Hook the negative to the piece being plated. Positive to the zinc.
I only have a picture of the piece after plating. Should have a before and after, but didn't think of it until it was done.
You can see a dividing line between the original and new plating just after the mounting holes. I had covered the original plating with electrical tape so it wouldn't be plated with new.
It was in the mixture about 10 to 15 Minutes. I periodically took it out and polished it up, to check progress and see when it was done enough. The new plating even covered up some small pits and corroded spots.
When polished up it looks great.
