Finally got my zinc plating kit working!

[rcx132]

I had to persist to get it working, now I'm getting perfect results. I was thinking of making a video to show which bits of the process I learnt you need to be careful with.

I used drab passivate because it gives better protection than the yellow or clear/blue, and I've grown to really like the colour. This bit came out perfect.

 

[gordon stephenson]

Good idea on the video, Look forward to seeing it, Excellent.

 

[rcx132]

Just to give the heads up, my problems turned out to be contaminated electrolyte. I was advised to filter the electrolyte but I didn't realise that the coffee filters were micro-tearing so I went on looking for other solutions, perfecting all the other stages, before I tried new electrolyte and the problems went and only then I realised the coffee filters hadn't been working.

In the mean time I learnt how to perfect the cleaning stages so now I'm getting good results. I found it best to use home made pre-processing fluids, so just caustic soda to degrease and HCl to pickle. That way I can afford to regularly replace the fluids to get good results. I also tried home made electrolyte but it turns out that it doesn't work without the proprietary brighteners. Plus when you buy brighteners then the supplier is willing to give support even if you've bought your own basic ingredients for the electrolyte.

I test plated two parts today, both came out perfect, so I'm hoping my problems are sorted now.

 

[500e]

Interesting awaiting Video please

 

[Barlidge]

I started playing about with it a couple of years back, will get back on it one day soon hopefully. Will be very interested in your lessons learned and cleaning pickling recipes.

 

[rcx132]

I went at it with a scribe to see how tough it is. This test piece is copper, but all you can see is the silver from the zinc, so it's really tough.

 

[-Matt-]

I like the matte irredescant colour!
Keeping an eye for the video as well!

 

[slim_boy_fat]

@rcx132 looks excellent, hope the durability proves up to the job.

I wish folk wouldn't keep starting threads about new [to me] processes, every time I read one I think "Oooh, I must try that" - I have so many things I want to have a go at now, the list is wrapping round my ankles.

 

[steveo3002]

would be nice if you could list the prices involved for someone to make a similar set up ?

 

[rcx132]

would be nice if you could list the prices involved for someone to make a similar set up ?

The Gateros Plating kit is ~£80 which is what I started with. I went for the zinc-nickel kit which, according to books and Wikipedia, gives x5 more protection. It costed a bit more. I recommend buying their £40 electrical lab supply, much easier and safer than trying to control the current with a home made rheostat. Replacement chemicals are cheap if you buy bulk from online suppliers, £15 for a 5L bottle of concentrated acid, and £25 for 25kg bag of caustic soda should last for a very long time.

My reasons for using a DIY kit is because I need rare or custom made parts done, and I don't want them getting lost or damaged at the factory. And if you do it at home you can make the zinc really thick, at the factory they only go to 10 microns which doesn't last long.