Definition
A repair process in which a thin layer of metal is electrochemically deposited onto a specific area of a part, without immersing the whole part in a plating tank. A handheld plating tool soaked in electrolyte is moved over the area while electric current bonds the new metal to the surface. It is used to restore worn or damaged surfaces to their original dimensions, or to apply a protective coating to a localized area.
Plain English
A way of adding a thin layer of metal to just one spot on a part, instead of dipping the whole part in a tank. It's used to build up worn areas back to size, or to put a protective coating only where it's needed.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft maintenance, especially when repairing worn metal surfaces, restoring dimensions, or protecting a small area from corrosion.
Derivation
Selective' means choosing a specific part rather than all of it. 'Plating' comes from applying a thin layer (a 'plate') of metal to a surface. Together: plating only the selected area.
Why Pilots Care
Enables precise in-situ repairs that keep critical components airworthy while minimizing aircraft downtime.
Analogy
It is like touching up one scratched area on a painted surface instead of repainting the whole object.
Intuition Check
Selective does not mean the metal coating is optional or casual. Here it means the coating is applied only to a chosen area of the part.
Example Sentence 1
The worn journal on the landing gear strut was restored to specification using selective plating rather than replacing the entire component.
Example Sentence 2
Selective plating was used on the landing gear oleo strut to rebuild the chrome surface after corrosion removal.