Yes. Nickel can be electrodeposited directly onto brass. For a safe start, use a short nickel strike (acid, chloride-rich) as an interlayer; then build with nickel.

Recommended process sequence

1. Degrease, rinse thoroughly.
2. Micro-etch for Cu/Zn alloys (very short), rinse.
3. Acid activation (conditioner), proceed wet-to-wet.
4. Nickel strike, start at low current density, 20–90 s.
5. then nickel.

Notes

• Avoid dezincification: keep etch/activation times short; no drying steps.
• Start parameters: begin with low current density, ramp quickly to setpoint; a moderate chloride level promotes adhesion.
• Against yellowish show-through: provide sufficient total Ni thickness.

Typical defects & remedies

• Blisters/peeling: etch too long, dirty surface, start current too high → shorten times, re-activate, start at low current density.
• Dark-gray start/passivation: avoid waits, renew activation.
• Roughness: improve filtration/rinse quality, eliminate particle sources.