Thought I’d have a go at electroplating this weekend.
I purchased a kit online from a company called Classic Plating. It came with most things that are needed to do some zinc plating:
Alkaline Cleaner Chemicals
Dry Acid Pickle granules
Zinc Chloride
Ammonium Chloride
Various other start up chemicals
Clear Passivate
Yellow Passivate
Zinc Anodes
Copper and Steel Wires
Plastic Bucket (used as tank)
Current adjuster
Power Supply wires and clips
Gloves and goggles.
The only things I needed to buy were some more buckets with lids to use with some of the other chemicals and a small fish tank heater to keep the solution above 20 degrees C. This is optional but you will find the process is easier and better with the temperature above 18 degrees C.
I started by labelling buckets for the various pre-processes and and mixed up these chemicals as well as opting to mix the Yellow passivate, which again needed its own bucket. I wore a mask and goggles as these chemicals are pretty nasty. I used RO (distilled) water rather than take my chances with the tap stuff. I then moved onto wiring up the anodes before removing them to mix the zinc plating chemicals, again pretty easy. Though the kit came supplied with a current resistor to enable the use of a 12V car or leisure battery I already have an adjustable power supply which seemed easier and safer so I cut my wires to suit that.
I chose a couple of old bits and pieces to practice on and to see if the kit worked and to tinker with the voltage on the power supply. What I did discover was that actually some of my parts were pretty manky and needed quite a bit of cleaning before I even started.
Step 1 is really to brush down, and get rid of loose bits. I found using a Dremel quite useful with a small drum sander on it and/or a wire brush.
Step 2 – Thoroughly de-grease your item in the Alkaline degreaser and then rinse in water
Step 3 – Place your piece into the Acid Pickle for a few minutes. This helps to etch the surface and clean off any remaining grease and muck
Step 4 – Place into the plating tank and attach the negative lead to the wire the piece is hung from or attach to the bar across the top if you’re doing multiple items. The positive lead is attached to the anodes.
Switch on the power supply and wait. After a few minutes you might see some bubbling from the surface of the piece and then it will start to turn zinc coloured as the zinc molecules are attached to it. When the plating is complete switch off the current, remove from the tank and wash in water.
Step 5 is passivation. This is optional but will help to provide better corrosion protection. Simply dip the piece into the passivate solution for 30 seconds or so, remove and rinse. Then hang it somewhere to dry for at least 12 hours. You can also put in an oven if you're in a hurry.
Overall I’m pleased with the results I’ve achieved. It’s not especially economical to do but it’s more the fun of doing it. To get the best results the piece you’re plating must be extremely clean so time spent here will result in a better finish. I’ve still got some more pieces to plate and passivate for my project and then I’ll do a few more whilst I’m set up. The electrolyte and other chemicals lasts a long time if stored correctly so I’ll do the work I need to and then pack it away.