pageanodes

You didnt really think you would get through this with no problems now did you? Well........? :) Try not to think of them as problems. Its a lot eisyer to deal with if you think of them as learning experiences!!

The Problems page will be broken down into 4 catagories.

1. GENERAL plating problems
2. COPPER plating problems
3. NICKEL plating problems
4. CHOME plating problems

GENERAL PROBLEMS

Little black spots or rings showing through the plating after I pull it from the tank

Usually this is because all of the bad corrosion was not initially cleaned out of the pits. The chemicals reacted with the corrosion. Just drill out that area again and put some more nickel on it by brush plating. Dont put it in the nickel activator acid the part will dissolve

Plating is peeling

Couple of reasons here....Usually it comes down to poor surface prep. Not all the buffing compound was removed or contaminates in the rinse water. Another reason could be too high of amperage. Basically you baked the plating off. Either way you will have to take all the old plating off and start over.

Part turned black or gray in the mild acid etch.Or in the next plating procedure.

Been there, done that!! If your part does this clean all the dark smut off and clean it good! Dont put it in the acid etch again. It is some alloy that will not stand the acid. I will sand a part like this with 600 grit wet or dry to make sure fresh metal is exposed for the initial nickel plate. Then plate right away.I have had to go as far as zincating before plating some potmetal to protect it in the nickel strike bath.

Small pits in the finish after plating.

Couple of things could cause this. First it is usually not a good agitation of the bath during plating. Get the air bubbler going or turn it down some if you have it running too much. Make sure your air bubbler is putting out BIG bubbles. Small ones add to the problem. Second your bath could have dirt or organic matter in it. If this is the case run it through some coffee filters in a home made holder.

Part wound up across the room in a violent manner against the wall. Dog is also running the opposite way and wife is asking if your OK?

Yup Ive been there too!! TAKE A BREAK!!!! Re-think the whole procedure out. E-mail me with any problems if you need help.

Little black spots or rings showing through the plating after I pull it from the tank	Usually this is because all of the bad corrosion was not initially cleaned out of the pits. The chemicals reacted with the corrosion. Just drill out that area again and put some more nickel on it by brush plating. Dont put it in the nickel activator acid the part will dissolve
Plating is peeling	Couple of reasons here....Usually it comes down to poor surface prep. Not all the buffing compound was removed or contaminates in the rinse water. Another reason could be too high of amperage. Basically you baked the plating off. Either way you will have to take all the old plating off and start over.
Part turned black or gray in the mild acid etch.Or in the next plating procedure.	Been there, done that!! If your part does this clean all the dark smut off and clean it good! Dont put it in the acid etch again. It is some alloy that will not stand the acid. I will sand a part like this with 600 grit wet or dry to make sure fresh metal is exposed for the initial nickel plate. Then plate right away.I have had to go as far as zincating before plating some potmetal to protect it in the nickel strike bath.
Small pits in the finish after plating.	Couple of things could cause this. First it is usually not a good agitation of the bath during plating. Get the air bubbler going or turn it down some if you have it running too much. Make sure your air bubbler is putting out BIG bubbles. Small ones add to the problem. Second your bath could have dirt or organic matter in it. If this is the case run it through some coffee filters in a home made holder.
Part wound up across the room in a violent manner against the wall. Dog is also running the opposite way and wife is asking if your OK?	*Yup Ive been there too!! TAKE A BREAK!!!! Re-think the whole procedure out. E-mail me with any problems if you need help.*