DIY copper plating...

[dogdog]

DIY fun with copper plating.

Not sure if there is this similiar thread.... I tried didn't find one. so ....

The other day I found this tire hanging bolt because VWs have Lug bolts instead of lug nuts difficult to hang a tire while trying holding the tire in position , match the hole and screw in the bolt. (yes they sell this I think , but I like DIY.), some genius design for VWs... to use lug bolts instead of nuts. It's just M14x1.5 thread bolt without head. But the surface was rusting and I can't paint it due to it's use. So I remember some high school experiment. copper plating it, but it is not 100% success some fudge here.

1) 1/10 quart of CLR or some vinegar acid (I think that is what other website recommends) I found CLR works better.
2) fill quart
3) insert copper sacrificial anode (+) into solution connect + of power supply to anode.
4) connect (-) to the cathode metal to be plated,
5) power up the power supply (this one is a 15V 500ma HF trickle charger that cheap $5 charger)
6) stir solutions, less than 5 mins, take out rinse scrub with scotch pad, repeat.
7) I think I got the steps correct, some fudge factors, If I left it in too long it becomes electrolysis and copper plating strips off cathode. But you can scrub clean and repat 1 to 6.....



so one thing I couldn't get is consistency, and a more thicker vibrant coat like those copper coated grounding rods they sell. Maybe higher voltage makes a differences, maybe a warmer solution makes a differences. and definitely don't know if it is any rust prevent properties. If any one have any better suggestions, recommend it. It's almost just like electrolysis except time is shorter and different solutions and different anodes.

 

[rlitman]

Use copper sulfate as the electrolyte. It's sold at HD as root killer crystals made to be put in a drain. I'd also add a SMALL amount of Dawn detergent.

 

[Murdoch]

Check jewelry supply companies in your area. They will have the chemicals that you need. Good luck to you...GM

 

[rlitman]

Check jewelry supply companies in your area. They will have the chemicals that you need. Good luck to you...GM

If you're going to be using professional plating chemicals, be aware that most copper plating solutions are cyanide based. And the local places are probably buying their kits from Caswell Plating.

Looks like they have 45 copper plating kits:
http://www.caswellplating.com/electroplating-anodizing/copper-plating-kits.html

But you might want to read up on this first:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper_plating

"The plating seen in chemistry classes, often obtained with a coin and copper-sulphate bath, is in fact deposition, as opposed to plating. Subjecting the surface to any wear causes the deposit – which is not bonded – to spalt. Running such a bath for longer periods, one can readily observe the grainy texture left by deposition, whereas plating results in a smooth surface.

Commercial platers typically use a copper-cyanide solution, which retains a high concentration of copper. However, it is inherently dangerous, due to the highly toxic nature of cyanide."