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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Problem plating stainless steel

 

I have purchased one of these "brush plating" kits with some friends and I would like to plate a stainless steel emblem with gold. The only UK supplier of the " Stainless Steel Activator" that I apparently need sells it in 5 gallon drums only, I need enough to fill a small pudding basin.

I have read about "Woods bath" being able to do the job, but I have not found anyone in the UK that sells this either. Is it the same thing as a "passivating solution" ?

I am able to use the chemicals in the school labs without too much hassle, can someone please tell me how I can make my own "activator" - or is this some kind of closely guarded secret?

Many thanks,

Mark Tibbert
- Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, UK

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Wood's Nickel is a solution with a lot of hydrochloric acid which is effective in activating stainless steel. Per the Metal Finishing Guidebook, it's 30-34 oz/gal NiCl2 and 10-12 percent hydrochloric acid (v/v), and is used with sulfur-free anodes at a temperature of 75-90 °F. In tank plating you usually operate anodically at 10-20 A/ft2 for 1-2 min, then cathodically for 2-3 min. Current densities in brush plating are usually higher than in tank plating because of the agitation and proximity of the anodes.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

Normally, The company that sold the "kit" sells replacement chemicals. These are optimized for the procedure that they recommend. Home brew will not work the same! Most brush plating vendors that advertise at this site sell in the UK and would be happy to provide ops sheets that go with their chemicals when you buy from them. (Many sold in very small quantities)

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida

adv.
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