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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Plating bath maintenance

I have been researching the plating process for a few years now, and in this time have not been able to find out how a plating bath is maintained. Is there a routine test? How is it done? What do you look for? How do you know how much additional salts to add? The resources I have for information have not been helpful on this topic. I appreciate any help given.

Brian Chiasson
- Vancouver,B.C.,Canada
2000

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The reason you haven't gotten much by way of response is that you maintain different plating baths different ways, but, in general, the bath is maintained by chemical analysis, plating tests (hull cell), and visual observation of the work. Additionally, there will be maintenance of the anodes and possibly some sort of bulk periodic treatment of the bath (carbon treatment, etc.)

James Totter, CEF
- Tallahassee, Florida
2000