47 replies to this topic

[Swarbs]

Thanks for sharing Al

You wouldn't have a run down on the power source would you?

 

Had a yarn to the sparkies at work yesterday about this, and they ended up with something half the size of a sub station to control and regulate the power supply - total cost approx 2.5 million but they assured me it would be failsafe 

[slar]

Thanks for sharing Al
You wouldn't have a run down on the power source would you?
 
Had a yarn to the sparkies at work yesterday about this, and they ended up with something half the size of a sub station to control and regulate the power supply - total cost approx 2.5 million but they assured me it would be failsafe 

Seriously I went through the same process as you but found with trial and error that you need low voltage with 500ma to 1amp power supply.
I use a simple plug in power pack, you know the little black sqare ones like a phone charger.
Its a 6 volt 500ma dc charger simple as that.
I also have a 9v 1amp power pack i used for doing the larger bolts.
You cant regulate them but what you can do is add more parts on the hanger, this has the effect of reducing amperage per part, so the more parts being plated the less overall amperage per part which is good because too much amperage will burn the zinc black and will not coat properly.
Its better to go slow than ramp up the amps.
Trial and error, in an earlier post i stated the approx ammount of bolts and washers per charger as a starting indication, just have a crack at it and you will see what i mean after a couple of attempts.
Good luck
Al

[slar]

Got a DIY triple plate chrome writeup?

Oh how i wish, but im looking into it

[Swarbs]

Cheers
Looking at setting this up as being so far away from Perth being the nearest place it turns into a pain in the arse

Will let you know how i go

Edited by Swarbs, 05 September 2013 - 10:34 AM.

[warrenm]

i dont think there are kits for this.

triple plated is 1st copper 2nd nickle 3rd chrome.

maybe 3 diffrent kits?

i found copper to be a pain in the ass

good copper plating comes from a formaldehyde tank. very bad stuff.

http://www.caswellpl...ome-plating-kit

[UCANG]

Do you have any pics of how you submerge the items? Is it fiddly wrapping copper around bolts and stuff?

 

How would using a basket (similar to a deep fryer basket) go for doing multiple pieces?

 

Cheers

[Swarbs]

Completely forgot about this thread

I did set it up with some good results

 

Big trick is getting the voltage and amps right for the amount you have in the tank

 

Big downside is the damn thing rusted everything in the shed that was bare metal

Not sure what the by product fumes are coming off the set up but if you do it  - do it outside or in a well ventilated area

In the end for the amount i done, ended up sending the lot to Perth

 

Pretty time consuming but good for one of or small amount jobs

[Ando]

I had a crack at the home DIY zinc plating with great results! 

 

I adopted some of Al's (slar) methods but came up with a quicker way. 

 

I bypassed wire wheeling the parts after cleaning & just sandblasted them in my cabinet.

 

Then dropped them in the acid clean bucket until the fizzing stopped.

 

Sprayed de-ironized water to wash & dry off (cloth & compressed air). Then hung them in the electrolyte bucket.

 

For a good layer of zinc; allow plating time around 15-45 mins. I found the 9 volt - 800 ma charger the best & quicker plating process. 

 

After electroplating time; pull out, wash again with de-ironized watar & dry (cloth & compressed air).

 

Note; I didn't use Al's (slar) Chemtech Blitz cleaning process. I didn't think it was necessary. 

 

I just went straight on to using the softer brass wire hand brush while dry & then a quick dry polish with a cotton rag.

 

Doing that brings out a natural zinc finish. If you want a brighter look; just do the polishing process.

 

That's it..it worked a treat with less fuss!   

Edited by Ando, 03 February 2018 - 04:13 AM.

[fx48_eh64]

i used a very similar method to do my bonnet hinges, i used a bigger variable power supply though and only 3 zinc anodes around the tank, 

It worked, but took longer and i dont think it was as good a job as yours was, but it did the trick

[Rockoz]

Jaycar probably has a variable power supply at a good price either built or in kit form.

I used a power supply I built years ago. 0 to 15V at 1 amp max. Worked a treat after I tried some phone chargers that didnt last long.

Had to dig around old stuff to find the power supply.

Results are good.

will be trying a nickel one next.

[Pezzali]

Hi everyone,

I seek advice. What am I doing wrong?

I've followed Al (SLAR) 's methods in DIY Zinc plating (thanks for your 2013 post). I bought 4 zinc anodes from boat shop so I halved the liquid formula to compensate.

No zinc seems to be transferring to the parts. Parts come out looking exactly as they go in.

I definitely have power source. Power output on transformer shows 12 volts at 1 amp. Is that too high?

Or is it possible I wasn't sold zinc anodes despite being told they were?

There seems to be no fizzing.

It seems everyone else is having no troubles! Any help is appreciated.

Cheers
Rob

[mick_in_oz]

Do you have the polarity correct? The current flow has to be in the right direction for the zinc to transfer.

 

No fizzing, maybe recheck you actually have power available at the job and the zinc.

[Pezzali]

Auto Electrician told me for power source which were the positive and negative connections, positive connection to anodes, negative to cathodes. Hopefully right, I'll check again tomorrow. Thanks for responding. Cheers

[Rockoz]

Maintain the same electrolyte solution.

I went with 5 anodes on mine.

4 around the sides, and 1 in the bottom.

 

Positive to the anodes, negative to the gear you are plating.

Some battery chargers wont produce an output without a battery being connected to them.

That may be your problem.

 

Need to prime up the solution by plating some scrap first.

 

I got great results. Am thinking that nickel would have been a better option though.

Same system, different anodes

[Shiney005]

 Capture.PNG   705.79K   13 downloads

[eyepeeler]

Just found this, going to try it very soon. 

The forum is so cool for stuff like this......

[Swarbs]

Beware the fumes 

whatever it gives off will rust bare metal in your shed

[Rockoz]

Yep. Vinegar being acidic will attack any bare metal.

Being fumes, it spreads easily with the slightest breeze.

Best to do it outside with a fan to direct the air into an area that is suitable.

 

Cheers

 

Rob