Shop suddenly plagued with process problems

RFQ: Recently my shop has started dealing with a number of problems in the plating jobs we send out. Spotty anodize, spotty black oxide, bubbling chrome, etc. Problems happen across multiple platers. In my mind it seems it must be a cleanliness issue, but nothing (that I'm aware of) has changed in our processes. I'm cutting some "tickets" of different materials that I'm going to expose to different processes and chemicals in the shop and then send off for plating and see if I can determine a common factor. I've got some Dyne test chemicals coming to try and actually quantify a little more. We are systematically working through variables, but I'm looking for someone experienced that might want to do some consulting to come down and look at what's happening in person and offer perspective in solving our issues. It would be great if that person had some knowledge of automated cleaning systems, because I'm interested in purchasing equipment to that end. Thanks!

Garren King
- Orlando, Florida
July 31, 2024
privately respond to this RFQ
Ed. note: As always, gentle readers: technical replies in public and commercial replies in private please (huh? why?)

A. Hi Garren.

The first thing I would look at is whether you started using silicone, especially a silicone spray of any sort, anywhere in your shop. Typical pre-cleaning lines for anodizing, black oxiding, and plating are not capable of reliably removing silicone from the parts, which will result in problems regardless of what shop you send them to.
Luck & Regards,

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

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