Letter 1892

Bronzing baby shoes

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Greeting from PERTH, Western Australia!

Can anybody help?

I am looking for advise on a better, quicker and more effective way of plating baby shoes as a paying hobby.

At present, I formulate my own surface conductive material by mixing locally purchased copper finnings (dust) with a commercially available clear lacquer. This is then applied to the product using an artist airbrush and left to dry for 24 hours - giving excellent results.

The item is then plated in acid copper using two anodes which are placed either side of the product about 200mm (8 inches) away from it. Using my own homebuilt constant current rectifier, I plate at about 1 to 1.5 amps per sq decimeter (1/10th of a sq ft). This takes anything between 12 and 24 hours to adequately plate with constant monitoring for roughness. A 1.5 micron filter system is used.

Any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

John Cray
- Perth, Australia

John,

Interesting process. You might consider using liquified metal, versus the homemade-brew, which in the long run is subjectable to corrosion. This application allows for more detail to be retained and allows for more flexibility in the mounting process.

Todd Miller
Oceanside, CA

My name is William Thorn I have available a plating facility, and I am interested in obtaining a source for the liquid metal that you have previously identified in answer to a client's question. It is my intention to bronze and gold plate a material close to ceramic and plaster. We will be able to pre-coat this maternal with the sealer for further application. I would certainly appreciate a source for this maternal. Any help in this matter will be appreciated. Sincerely,

Wm. Thorn
Houston, TX

I read your ad looking for liquid metals,and I was wondering if you were able to locate any. Because we are needing some to get our business started and are having a rough time locating any bronzing liquid. Would you have a source that I may contact.

thank you in advance for any help you may be able to provide.

Candy Taylor
- Mo.

Can anyone tell me about "electro-less plating". I have seen information on a business opportunity bronzing baby shoes and other keepsakes using this method. I think you start with a hardening material, apply a coating of real metal and later a coating to preserve it. Does this method work and give satisfying results for customers? Can you make a lot of money with this trade? Thanks!

Michele Jones
- New Orleans, LA, USA

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