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Electroplating silver or chrome onto aluminum [Maine] 

May 10, 2007

May 10, '07
Hello.
I am a sculptor in Bath Maine and I have been casting aluminum forms. I am interested in electroplating a silver or chrome finish (whichever is easiest) to make my sculptures more shiny. It is hard to find information on this. Is it possible to electroplate silver onto aluminum? Does the aluminum need to be pickled first in sulfuric acid and dipped into a zincate bath? What electrolite solution should be used for plating and how long should it be dipped? These are my most pressing questions. Thank you very much.

Vance Alan Bessey
Hobbyist - sculptor - Bath, Maine, USA

A plating shop can do this for you if that doesn't offend your sense of ownership of the artwork, Vance. Chrome plating solutions are carcinogenic, silver plating requires dangerous cyanide-based plating solutions, so I'd suggest nickel or electroless nickel. You don't formulate these solutions, you buy them. Yes, pretreatment would involve desmutting and zincating. The Metal Finishing Guidebook is an inexpensive and widely available resource that your library may have. Good luck.

Ted Mooney, P.E.  finishing.com Brick, New Jersey