Black Nickel - (BN)

 

 

 

What colour is Black Nickel?

Black Nickel is a nickel plated black colour with a smooth, glossy finish. Similar to Gun Metal.

 

Are there any other colours similar to Black Nickel?

Yes, Gun Metal is a close finish however there is a very limited selection in terms of ironmongery to chose from. Please enquire for further details.

 

                        Black Nickel

 

What are Black Nickel products made from?

Most of the Black Nickel items we sell are made from solid brass. Traditionally brass has been the best base material for nickeling on to, as the brass could be highly polished to a smooth mirror finish so that when electro-plated, the best possible mirror finish Black Nickel is produced.

In recent years as raw material prices have risen the cost of brass has increased massively, manufacturers have had to try and source alternative base materials for nickeling on to, to help keep their products competitively priced. We’re now seeing Black Nickel plated on to base materials of Zinc Alloy, Mazac, Aluminium, and Stainless Steel with very good results that are almost identical to plating on to brass.

Please check individual products to see what base material they are made from.

 

How is the Black Nickel finish produced?

Black Nickel is an electro plated finish. Electro-plating is the process for producing electro deposited finishes on to a metal surface, commonly known as “plating.” The process consists of passing an electric current between an anode and a cathode through a chemical solution. If you liken the set up to a car battery the anode is “positive” and the cathode is “negative.”

In the nickel plating process the anode is a piece of nickel rod and the cathode is the product being plated. The nickel rod and the product are lowered into a vat containing an electrolyte solution. The power is turned on and the nickel starts to dissolve into the electrolyte solution. At the same time the current is traveling from the positive anode (the nickel rod) through the solution "carrying" the dissolved nickel particles and depositing them as a thin layer on to the negative cathode (the product.)

Before the nickel plating stage the base material of the product must be smooth and highly Black to help produce the mirror effect. Underneath the nickel plated layer will be an electro-plated layer of copper which acts as a “primer coat” to help ensure the nickel is as hard-wearing and long lasting as possible.

 

Are all Black Nickel items the same colour?

Yes, the Black Nickel will be the same shiny finish on all products from all manufacturers.

 

Will the Black Nickel fade or discolour?

Yes, as the finish ages a patina forms over the nickel causing it to look slightly "cloudy" making the Black Nickel an even softer finish.

 

Are Black Nickel products suitable for outside use?

Yes, the nickel plating process is hard-wearing and will help protect the base material well. The best Black Nickel products to use externally are the items with a base material of brass.

Black Nickel products fitted externally must be cleaned regularly to keep the finish looking its best. With so much pollution in the air and acidity in the rain, if you don’t clean externally fitted items you will find the nickel will start to “pit” and eventually start to wear off. A quick regular clean with a soft cloth and wax based furniture polish to remove dirt and water marks will ensure your Black Nickel products will look as good as new for a very long time.

 

How to clean and maintain Black Nickel products?

Black Nickel products should be cleaned regularly with a soft cloth and wiped over with a wax based furniture polish ideally beeswax, but products like “Pledge” and “Mr Sheen” work well too. For stubborn stains warm soapy water can also be used.

For items fitted outside if you start to see pitting marks in the nickel a metal polish such as “Brasso” or “Peek” can be used to polish the layer of nickel.

Regular cleaning to remove dirt, finger prints and water marks will ensure your Black Nickel products will last for a very long time.