In Digest 970123 Mark Van Essen wrote asking for help restoring the
metal nameplates on his piano.

The black on the metal labels is Black Oxide Plating.  It is done much
like brass plating.  The process is use by jewelers.  You may be able
to find a crafting jeweler that will do it for you.

It is a simple project that is very difficult to get right.  The surface
has to be surgically clean and polished and/or sandblasted evenly.  The
masking has to be perfect.  The distance between cathode(label) and the
anode must be equal.  The amperes per square inch must be controlled.
However, if you want a challenge, it can be done with hobby equipment.
I use an old Warner Elect. plating system that was sold as a bronzing
kit.  If you would like to have more ambiguous details about plating,
let me know.

Don Bryant¶
Bryant's Antique Players

P.S. I  DO NOT  want plating jobs......

 [ ?? Mark's piano was probably built before 1925.  Was Black Oxide
 [ Plating in use then?  -- Robbie