Nickle plated frames
 

I don't know much about this way of plating, but i saw some Daccordi frames which are nickle plated and then painted with thin layer of paint. I have one nickle plated frame and i want to know something more about it? Do you know any brands which used this method? Why they were nickel plating their frames and then again painting them? Maybe this was very frequent before?

It is probably chrome plating and not nickel, which is softer. Some frame makers used it as a base with which to show through a transparent paint over the plating. Technique is called cromovelato I believe. Here is a nice Moser using this technique.
http://www.velociao.com/2011/f-moser...ato-1979-1981/

I heard for cromovelato, but i don't understand is it chromed or nickeled? Here is one Daccordi frame with "nickel protection" sticker. http://www.flickr.com/photos/sergecoppi/6630140365/
And here is my frame.. What do you think about it, is it maybe cromovelato?(there was blue/white combo paint, but it is removed)
http://www.pohrani.com/f/g/AQ/1DDStINH/p1080444.jpg

I'm assuming the nickel is an extra layer of corrosion protection. Chrome plating is generally a layer of copper plating followed by nickel, followed by chromium, so it's very similar. The final chromium layer is primarily for the aesthtics, so it's not required if it is to be painted over and eliminating it would be a cost savings.

Nickle provides a warmer color than chromium. So using it today is generally an aesthetic choice of the manufacturer. It is also softer than then chromium. You can create the brushed-nickel appearance, while it is difficult and economically not feasible to create a brushed chrome finish.

Prior to WW2 in Europe, components were were routinely chrome plated but the high-end frames were typically nickel plated. Some have speculated needing chrome for the war effort. Others have pointed to cost. I don't know the answer.

At a guess, I'm taking a stab at chrome plating on your frame (which, by the way, I really like the look of.)

http://www.pohrani.com/f/g/AQ/1DDStINH/p1080444.jpg

Maybe I missed it in your post, but do you know who built this?

Well, when I bought it i didn't know, but now I suppose it is a Titan made by Billato. It has a lot of similarities with Titan models, it is almost identical to the Titan which belongs to my friend and also the serial numbers are matching. The ex owner says that the name of my frame starts with B so i think it is made by Billato(because i heard that Billato was a contract builder who made frames for Titan).

It's always been my understanding that prior to the late 1920s the bicycle industry used nickel plating, with most manufacturers adopting chrome plating in the late 1920s or early 1930s.

I imagine that a pending war leads to a lot of reallocation of resources espcially when they are not available domestically. You want to make sure it's available for things like ball bearings and high strength steels.

At any rate, that frame might be a excellent candidate for a tinted clear coat velato finish. It would be beautiful.