Copper plating.(one for Willsy & Ross)

  1. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jul 2010 Morley, Leeds Posts: 8469 Civic ep3 type r powered by TDI NORTH
    #1
    This is prob's going to be one for Willsy and Ross I think.

    Right i have my electrolytic cleaning kit all set up with some excellent results from some scrap metal a plastic paint tin and a cheap ebay battery charger.

    Now I am looking at copper plating all the parts but I am really confused how to do it some books I got from the library say it needs to be nickle plated and some says you can plate any as long as its conductive.

    So any help from you guys would be great.
  2. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Apr 2013 Jarrow Posts: 4022 2003 Icelandic Grey 16v VTR 1991 Daihatsu GTti
    #2
    Hope this helps.

    Copper is an active metal and so difficult to plate onto a passivated surface, making direct plating of iron based metals difficult. Such surfaces often require a nickel base coat for the copper to adhere to.

    In a nutshell, nickel then copper for a good finish.
  3. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Apr 2013 Jarrow Posts: 4022 2003 Icelandic Grey 16v VTR 1991 Daihatsu GTti
    #3
    Sorry, more to add.

    There's nothing saying you can't go straight for copper, however the finish won't be as robust as the nickel then copper.
  4. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jul 2010 Morley, Leeds Posts: 8469 Civic ep3 type r powered by TDI NORTH
    #4
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Mickswan View Post
    Sorry, more to add.

    There's nothing saying you can't go straight for copper, however the finish won't be as robust as the nickel then copper.
    Cheers mate the parts that will be getting plated will just be polished and for show so im guessing just copper plating will be good enough then.
  5. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Apr 2013 Jarrow Posts: 4022 2003 Icelandic Grey 16v VTR 1991 Daihatsu GTti
    #5
    I'd just copper a part the give it a polish, if its ok then crack on.