ELECTROPLATING in the HOME WORKSHOP

by Norm Jones Oct 2, 2008

OVERVIEW
SOURCES for INFORMATION
Caswell Electroplating in Miniature 7696 Route 31 Lyons, New York 14489 (315) 946-1213 www.caswellplating.com Request a catalog Anodizing, Electroplating, (Brush Plating) Powder Coating, Polishing, Paint Plating Manual $22.00

SOURCES for INFORMATION (cont)

RIOGRANDE 7500 Bluewater Rd NW Albuquerque, New Mexico 87121-1962 (800) 545-6566 www.riogrande.com Call to request a customer number Request Tools & Equipment Great catalog to browse thru! Plating Manual $15.00 Electroplaters Handbook C.W. Ammen ISBN 0-8306-0310-7 (paper bound)

INITIAL STEPS for PLATING

Part must be highly polished (Plating will not improve finish) Remove Polishing Compound with Lacquer Thinner or Acetone Soak Part in Hot Solution of Dishwasher Detergent (Cascade or Similar) Rinse in Distilled Water DO NOT TOUCH PART WITH BARE HANDS AFTER THIS STEP

ELECTRO-CLEANING
Cleans Part Microscopically
Electro-Cleaner: Riogrande page 402 Container: Pyrex Loaf Pan (Solution may need to be heated) Part will be suspended in container (Must not touch Anode) DC Power Source: Adjustable (12 volts @ 2 Amps) Use Stainless Steel Anode (Positive Lead) (Special Shapes may be Required) Connect Negative Lead to Part to be plated (make connection in area not to be plated) Adjust Power Supply to 10V. Turn on Power Supply for 60 seconds

ELECTROCLEANING (CONT)

Rinse Part in Distilled Water Rinse Part in Acid Dip (Riogrande Page 402) Rinse Part in Distilled Water (separate water rinse from above) Note that all Water Rinses and Acid Dips are Dedicated
Note

ELECTRO-CLEANER SETUP

NICKEL PLATING
Parts that I am plating are Brass Nickel prevents tarnishing for subsequent Gold Plating Provides better adhesion for Gold Plating Can be used as Final Finish with Extra Thickness Caswell PlugN Plate Kit Power Supply 4.5V @ 300ma Stainless Steel Wand Bandage Nickel Plating Solution (Individual Items are Available Separately)

STAINLESS STEEL WAND / BANDAGE

WAND in PLATING SOLUTION

NICKEL PLATING SETUP

NICKEL PLATING PROCEDURE

Brush Plating
Dip Wand in Plating Solution Wipe wet Bandage on Part to be Plated ( make sure that the stainless wand does not touch part) Keep Moving!

Dip Plating
Submerge Part in Plating Solution Agitate Solution Amount of time determines Plating Thickness Rinse Part in Distilled Water Rinse Part in Acid Dip Rinse Part in Distilled Water

GOLD PLATING
Cyanide Based 24K,18K,14K Riogrande/Caswell
Color based on : Temperature, Current, Time in Bath Agitation gives uniform color Bath has both Stainless Anode and Gold Anode Never leave Gold Anode in Bath when not in use Mask areas not intended to be plated with lacquer or asphaltum black Set Power Supply for 6 Volts @ 30 Seconds (Brush Plating method works OK as well) Rinse Part in Distilled Water Rinse Part in Acid Dip Rinse Part in Distilled Water

FIXTURING PARTS

FIXTURING TUBE

GOLD PLATING TANK

GAS BUBBLES GIVEN OFF

FINISHED PARTS

COMPLETE PLATING SETUP

PRECAUTIONS
NOTE THAT THE MATERIALS USED IN THIS PROCESS ARE HAZARDOUS AND SHOULD BE HANDLED WITH CARE

PROPER VENTILATION SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR