FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions

We provide a wide range of professional services to meet your needs. We promise to provide every service with a smile, and to the highest level of finish possible.

Silver Plating Questions

Q - Can you just dip my teapot for me?

A - Unfortunately the process is not that simple, most items require a great deal of cleaning and polishing to prepare them to accept the silver deposit on them and it is not just as simple as dipping it through 1 tank.

Q - How much does silver plating Cost?

A - In short there is no set Algorithm for how much an item costs to plate, it comes down to a range of factors one of the main one's being the amount of hands-on time needed for that specific item (aka Labour cost). Our Minimum Charge is $170.50 so start your budget there and work up! The best way to find out is to either E-mail us some photos or come and visit us in store and we can give you a quote.

Q - How long does Silver plating last?

A - We plate to an A1 quality which is a minimum of 25um, for a standard teapot this thickness of coating should last decade's depending on the use of the item and how well cared for it is. with every job we provide a care sheet on how best to care for your silverware and following this will give you the best lifespan.

Q - how long does it take?

A - Generally our lead time is 5-6 weeks for domestic customers and 2 weeks for commercial customers. however, if you have an item that you need done fast, please talk to our staff and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Q - Can you Clear coat my Silver?

A - Generally speaking we recommend against the clear coating of silverware, due to the fact it will tarnish underneath the clear coat over time and will then need the clear coat stripped to fix. We sell a great range of Goddard's products that work very well in keeping tarnish at bay!

Book Service

Chrome Plating

Q - My Item is in good condition it's only got a little bit of rust in one section can you just tidy up that bit?

A - No, Unfortunately with Chrome restoration the article has to be taken back to base metal completely and worked on from that point, nothing sticks to Chrome!

Q - do you charge by Kg?

A - No, Chrome plating is not zinc or barrel plating, each item is stripped polished and plated individually using manual labour, there for each item is costed individually on the time it will take.

Q - Can you chrome plate plastic?

A - No we do not electroplate plastic, if the plating is still intact on a previously plated piece of plastic, we will do our best to remove the chrome and replate the plating underneath however this is not a guaranteed process!.

Q - Can you Re-Chrome my exhaust?

A - NO. no amount of cleaning can remove the Carbon and other deposits from inside the pipes and this wrecks our tanks, therefore we have a strict no exhaust pipe policy.

Q - I don't need the finish to be perfect can you just do half a job to save me money?

A - No, we pride ourselves on being the industry leader when it comes to quality, and while with all restoration Perfection can never be promised we do our best to achieve as close to perfection as possible. We work to a Quality not to a Price. At the end of the day when that piece leaves this workshop it carry's our name with it.

Book Service

General Questions

Q - Can I come and use your workshop; I've looked up on the internet how to do it and don't want to pay for your skills?

A - We can't believe we have to write this but NO!

Q - Will the engraving disappear on my item?

A - Generally speaking the answer is no. a lot of trophies and awards are engraved after the original plating was done, so in reality when we restore it the engraving is even easier to read because the plating has now filled in that background. We have been doing this for a number of years and rest assured if we think your engraving is at risk, we will advise you and arrange to have it made deeper by our engrave.

Q - will having my item restored devalue it?

A - NO, this is a great myth given out by local antique dealers, your items were never meant to look in disrepair. We use the same techniques to restore today as they used back when the items were made! your grandma would be rolling in her grave if she saw the state of her silverware! (Please note this does not include Sheffield plated items as this is a completely different process and electroplating these would detract from their value)

Q - do you have a warranty?

A - We do guarantee our work, we boast over 130 years of business and stand by our tradesmen's work. If you have a problem with your job that was caused by us, we will fix it ASAP.

Book Service