Last update Dec.22, 2009

Plating on Steel, Pot Metal and Zinc Die-cast

Tank Plating

When plating on steel, pot metal or zinc die-cast you must first plate the piece with a alkaline solution. An acid based solution such as Dalmar Copper Electroforming solution # C-1 will attack these type of metals and pit them. If you see the work piece starting to fizzle or turn black, immediately rinse the piece with water.

If you are tank plating the piece, it should first be plated # C-1A Copper alkaline tank plating solution. If you want a thicker build-up, after rinsing, follow this in a tank of # C-1 Electroforming solution. Copper alkaline does a great job of coating these metals but it does not build-up a lot of thickness. Once there is a layer of copper on the piece from the alkaline solution, the copper electroforming solution will not attack it and you can build it up as thick as you want.

After the proper thickness is acquired the piece should be plated with Nickel solution # C-2. If you are finishing the piece in any other metal Like Chrome or Gold, the nickel should be polished to a high luster. Whatever finish you have on the nickel will determine the finish on the Chrome or Gold. If you prefer a satin finish  on the piece, then that is the way to prepare your nickel.

When finishing the piece in Gold you should always plate Gold over the Nickel. If you eliminate this step and plate Gold directly over Copper, the Copper will bleed through over time and it will corrode and look like the Gold is tarnishing. The layer of Nickel prevents this.

Brush Plating

There are a few different ways to plate over steel. Some times due to the different types of steel, one method will work better than another. Different methods are described below.

In brush plating you should first plate the piece with either # PS-2904 Copper alkaline solution, # PS-2802 Nickel alkaline solution or # PS-2800 Special Nickel pre-plate solution.

If you are Chrome plating the work piece you should plate it with the Copper # PS-2904, followed by Nickel # PS-2802 and then Chrome plate it with PS-2404 Decorative Chrome plating solution. All of the voltage settings are always on the label of the solutions. If you are plating the piece with Hard Chrome # PS-2403, you can heat the piece or the solution to get a harder finish.

On porous metals such as cast steel or cast iron you can also plate the piece first with PS-2802 followed by chrome or gold. You can also plate it with copper, then nickel and chrome or gold over the PS-2802.

For more information on plating check out the book "Everything You Should Know About Plating" available from Dalmar.

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