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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Electroplating cast iron

Can cast iron be electroplated with copper, or does' it need to be plated first with something like nickel? I want dependable adherence to the iron, with the expectation that the copper will oxidize resulting in a patina finish.

Gregg E. Doud
consumer/hobbyist - South Bend, Indiana
2007

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I think you've received good advice, Gregg: nickel plating before the copper sounds like the right idea.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2007

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2007

The Electroplating Engineering Handbook [on AbeBooks or eBay or Amazon affil links] says that you can cyanide copper strike and then heavy copper plate cast iron.
That said, cast iron varies in quality from Yugo to Mercedes. If it is porous or the pores open up during processing, you will not have a first class product!
Sand cast material requires machining or heavy chemical treatment. Die cast frequently has cold shuts. Investment casting are relatively expensive.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida