Top-Quality Silver, Gold, Brass, and Copper Plating Services
Experienced Silversmith Plating Company
Hiles Plating & Silversmiths has been restoring family treasures in the heart of Kansas City since 1930. Family-owned and operated, our team of artisan experts is committed to providing top-quality craftsmanship to our customers. We’re your local, go-to resource for restoration of silver, gold, and brass treasures.
What is Plating?
Plating restores antique items back to their original luster. During this process, the item is covered in a thin layer of metal (nickel, copper, silver, or other metal) to protect the substrate material, create a protective barrier, and repair the appearance of the item. Our highly skilled and trained silversmiths work precisely to ensure the appearance and integrity of your treasures.
The Plating Process
1. Initial Consultation
Our team examines your items for its necessary restoration, plating, and refinishing service. Once we examine your pieces, we will provide you with a written estimate.
2. Begin Restoration
The restoration process begins with a thorough cleaning/stripping. Our experts work precisely to remove dents, solder, or straighten a piece.
3. Metal Finish & Polish
Our experienced silversmiths employ buffing and polishing wheels for metal finishing. This process requires painstaking attention to detail to protect fine finishes and intricate designs. It is essential that our silversmiths thoroughly polish all pieces so we can achieve proper adhesion during the plating process.
4. Plating
It is essential that your items be thoroughly polished in order to apply the new plating for proper adhesion. A strike plate or primer is then applied to the piece.
5. ANTIQUING
After plating a piece to restore structural integrity and prevent future corrosion, our experts “antique” items to maintain the original character of a piece.
6. Final Polish
The last step of the process is one final polish to give your newly restored item a lustrous glow.
7. WRAPPING AND SHIPPING
Your new plating piece is ready to be wrapped and shipped back to you to take its place as a centerpiece, family heirloom, or conversation starter.