Letter 4009

PLATING OF STAINED GLASS JEWELRY BOXES 

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I WOULD LIKE TO SET UP A SMALL BRASS PLATING OPERATION IN MY GARAGE. I MAKE SMALL STAINED GLASS JEWELRY BOXES AND WOULD LIKE TO BRASS PLATE THE LEAD LINES IN ORDER TO GIVE THE BOXES A DIFFERENT LOOK. WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST? ANY INFO WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU. ORIN.

ORIN L
MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS

I'd really suggest you consider making an arrangement with a plating shop instead of trying to do this yourself, Orin --

Brass plating solutions are cyanide-based and don't belong in garages or in the hands of people who haven't received hands-on safety training in the dangers of acidental acidification and creation of HCN gas. In these post-911 days you may find it impossible to get cyanide shipped to a residence anyway. Also, there are usually more required preparation stages than the layman foresees, and activation of lead requires very dangerous hydrofluoric acid (although as a glass craftsperson, you may already be familiar with it).

Most, although not all, brass plating is actually nickel plating followed by brass plating followed by lacquer. For technical reference, please see letters 545 and 46134 or, if you have a lot of patience, search the site for many more.

Good luck, Orin!

 
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com - Brick, NJ