When To Re-plate Metal Ends?

[richard]

Hello folks

 

My 1932 Linota has a few issues with the metal ends. There are a few spots where the plating has come off (eroded...separated?) and left small areas that are duller and a bit yellowish compared to the more "silvery" patina of the rest of the end plates.These spots seem kind of benign and ingnorable.

 

 

 

Where I have a bigger problem is a few spots at the corner points just "below" the hand rests, where one's palms have conctact with the metal. Not only has some larger areas of plateing gone and exposed the metal underneath. BUT along the edge of the endplate the metal has eroded to the point that it has created a sharp knife-like edge. On the right side the edge is very sharp, enough to slice the skin if hit at the perfect angle. On the right side it has even dissolved the metal to create a ( very small) concavity of the silouette of the end.

 

The erosion is still about a 1/2 inch from the end screw.

 

Has anyone else experienced this? Can I slow down this process? Should I fix the ends right away, which I asssume is to have them replated.

 

Does anyone have suggestions as to who can do this sort of work?

 

Thanks

 

Richard

Edited May 1, 2006 by richard

[Dirge]

I don't know the answer, Richard, but why not contact your local tuner/repairer and ask him; cosmetics seems to be part of the deal for these folk; get it all overhauled at once, then losing bits while it's apart is someone elses problem.

 

Your major worry, I think, is that the metal polishers take too much metal off in a search for the mirror finish perfection that's needed for a good chroming job and they are then too thin for strength and deform under handling.

[Paul Read]

I'm pretty sure that Concertina Connection do replating

[Mark Davies]

Concertina Connection renovated a 40 key metal ended Wheatstone anglo for me some years ago.The work included amongst other things,new bellows,refurbishment of the woodwork and re-plating the metal ends.The quality of the work was first class, including the re-plating and I would have no hesitation in recommending Wm Wakker.Linota's are usually exceptionally playable concertinas and are well worth spending money on.

[d.elliott]

This deterioration of end plate finish is a common problem, my own metal ended Aeola is also afflicted by sweat & rubbing, plus the loss of metal from fingernail contact.

 

The re-plate process includes a chemical stripping to remove old plate, this shifts any grease and contamination. Fingernail damage is usually not removable, and is accentuated by re-plating. There is usually a nickel 'undercoat' to act as a bonding layer, then the top coat plate of nickel -silver, ater chrome (misery!!!).

 

Remember, plate too thick or too fast and it shells off.

 

Let you local plater:

 

-identify the original metal used for the finish and 'undercoat'

-specify the process and procedure

-ensure his thickness of deposition controls and records at each stage.

-control final polishing

 

vernier or micrometer the end before it goes to the shop, and check afterwords to ensure that you have the correct sum of plate thickness remaining.

 

Personally I have not re-plated my instruments, the wear is part of the pattina of age, and the concertina have been in my family since new, so I am simply adding my contribution to age and I hope, their beauty.

 

regards

 

Dave

[richard]

Hi Dave

 

Thanks for your valued feedback.

 

What if I just paint a layer of clear laquer (nail polish) over the spot that has the most contact with my hand and the most damage? Could that postpone further eating away of the metal and not harm anything else?

 

Thanks,

 

Richard

[Chris Ghent]

If you decide to go the replating route, I believe nickel-silver can be silver-soldered very well. This means you could cut out around the worn part and replace it with with a full thickness piece. It would be easy to replace any design piercings that were lost while doing it. With a good careful job it would be undetectable under plating.

 

Unfortunately replating changes an instrument from one with history to one without.

 

Chris

Edited May 5, 2006 by Chris Ghent

[JimLucas]

Unfortunately replating changes an instrument from one with history to one without.

I disagree. It changes it to one with additional history.

 

'Tis true, though, that some don't appreciate the addition. And there, names can also make a difference. "Restored" doesn't receive the same respect as "restored by Colin Dipper".