Hello Everyone, Here is a way we have used for years to nickel plate
parts that will not be subject to hard use.

1.  In plating everything must be absolutely clean, so a good bath in a
solution of hot washing soda is done first.  If the part is really dirty
we first clean the parts by annealing, which is to heat the part over a
Bunsen burner until it turns dull red, then slide it quickly into a
pickling solution (avoiding splashing).  The pickling solution will
anneal (by quickly cooling it) and clean the metal at the same time.

For the pickling solution for copper and alloys mix 1 part of concentrated
sulfuric acid with 9 parts water.  Caution: always pour the acid into the
water, and remember it's very caustic, so use extreme care with skin,
eyes, lungs, clothing, etc.

2.  The part may only require pickling to clean, which simply means to
put the part into the pickling solution for 5 to 10 minutes.

3.  For iron and other base metals make your pickling solution .5 part
acid to 9.5 parts water.

    "Plating without electric current"

Thin films of nickel or silver can readily be plated on copper, brass,
etc., simply by local chemical action.  These films are not as durable as
those made by regular electro-plating, but they may serve well on objects
that will not be subjected to hard use, which is just about everything
except the piano pedals.

4.  Plating with Nickel

When moistened with water, the following mixture will cause a plating of
nickel to be formed on copper or brass;
•
  Nickel ammonium sulfate      60 parts
  Powdered chalk               35 parts
  Powdered magnesium metal      4 parts
•
Mix the powders thoroughly, and apply to the previously cleaned metal
with a cloth pad kept wet with water. I also have a few mixtures for
silver plating; if anyone wants them let me know.

Best Regards¶
Ron Schmuck