What are the chemical reactions involved in metal plating?

[Roger Paine]

I'm a designer and blacksmith or metal working artist. My interesting chemistry has been stimulated by problems that I have had with corrosion and plating steel and iron. I set out to do copper plating as a means of adding colour to my work but the horizon has quickly expanded to include zinc, nickel & brass. I am accumulating chemicals at a rapid rate and want to know more about what is happening in the reactions that are happening.
More fun than something that is commonly regarded as a lot of fun but which doesn't spring immediately to mind...

 

[DrClaude]

You are not the only one here with these interests. See for instance https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/any-blacksmiths-here.892143/