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Electroplating Baby Shoes

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Hi,

I am interested to start a small business of electro plating of non-metallic small souvenirs like baby shoes, in this regards I would appreciate any assistance anyone can give me, like required equipment, materials, tips, reference: links, papers, books, web pages, suppliers, etc. Also want to know if there is another technology to do this job besides electroplating, What about powder coating?

Thanks and best regards

Walter Perez Vasquez
- Lima, Peru
2001

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I would like to find out more about electroplating babies shoes, I have looked everywhere on the internet but only seen to find companies already providing this service. I would like to start up a business doing this.

Alison F [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
electroplating baby shoes - UK

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You don't say how much experience you have in metal finishing, but to electroplate baby's shoes is not a kitchen sink task. You will need to make the shoes electrically conducting by either gently etching them and silver spraying, or painting them with a suitable electrically conducting material such as graphite, copper or silver powder etc. Once you have done that, you will need to plate them with copper and (probably) nickel, perhaps followed by a decorative layer of chromium, gold etc. All these chemicals present health and environmental issues, especially if you haven't handled them before. For further guidance, contact the Institute of Metal Finishing in Birmingham, they can give you advice on courses you may want to take before embarking on such a project. Alternatively, contact the School of Jewellery at the University of Central England (also in Birmingham).

Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
2005