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Lead alloy finishing

I would like information on the best media and methods for finishing lead and lead alloy castings ready for electroplating.

Gareth Williams
- Brisbane, Australia
2001

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Answer depends on where you are with your surface finish now and volume to be processed and the size of the parts. To do good electro-plating your RMS should be between 16 to 22 RMS. The finer the finish the better, because electro-plating does little to improve the RMS surface. Therefore, if you have stock material, you are probably around 35 RMS. That means that you can use either a fine ceramic or coarse plastic media shape to start. A second step with a fine plastic might give you a better looking part but may not be necessary. I can't guess on volume or size.

AF Kenton
retired business owner - Hatboro, Pennsylvania
2001