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Plating leaves and flowers
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Q. I am interested in plating organic material (i.e leaves, flowers, etc.) with copper and perhaps silver. Might someone recommend a book/article on this subject.
The process would have to be inexpensive and capable of being conducted in a small shop.
Thanks to anyone in advance for help on this matter.
Leslie Hughes
----Q. Leslie,
I am interested in the same thing. Should you get any info, would you please pass it along to me and I will do the same.
Thanks
Jay Feldman
A. Please see our FAQ: "How do you plate leaves, flowers, etc.?", folks.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey
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Q. I am also interested in finding a method to gold plate ostrich eggs for display at crafts shows. I heard of a spray used to activate the egg surface prior to plating. If anyone else has any answers, it would be appreciated.
Franklin D Asbell
A. Yes, Mr. Asbell, what you may be describing is called "two-component silvering solution". You simultaneously spray a silver salt and a reducing solution on the item in question. The silver in the salt is reduced to metallic silver.
Alternately you may be looking for a conductive paint; this is heavily filled with copper or silver flakes for conductivity.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey
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Q. Hi my name is Newsha Kashani and I am conducting an independent study project on the topic of electroplating. I have only found very little and vague information on this topic. If anyone has any helpful information they can provide me with a.s.a.p. it would be greatly appreciated. Please send me anything and everything you may know on electroplating.
Thanking you in advance,
Newsha Kashani
--A. Dear Newsha,
You have found perhaps the greatest repository of non-vague information about electroplating (and metal finishing) this side of Alpha Centuri (and I do mean universe) here at finishing.com, and I am being modest.
Look in our FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) Off Our Home Page (OOHP), there is a section showing photos of an actual plating shop (I can't recall where it is, but try the library OOHP. There are formulas, book lists, and a petting zoo, deli, and a world class juice bar (the last three are not available on line).
Sincerely,
Tom Pullizzi
Falls Township, Pennsylvania
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Q. I am interested in knowing all different methods available for plating on nonconductors especially plastics, with all it's scientific details, might someone has any info., or recommend any article or book in this subject.
Alex Kaven
--A. Dear Alex,
Basically, you need to make the surface conductive, so that it will carry an electric current. If you do not have access to a university library, you might be better off looking around these pages at finishing.com. A lot of letters have been posted over the years. See our library section off our home page, www.finishing.com
Regards,
Tom Pullizzi
Falls Township, Pennsylvania
Q. Could you please help me to find an etchant (it is probably some acid, but I am not sure) to slightly etch some organic materials, like dry leaves or flowers, to better reveal their internal structure.
Ekoba M [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Cleveland, Ohio
December 18, 2011
A. Hi, Ekoba.
Caustic soda (sodium hydroxide, Drano [linked by editor to product info at Amazon]) is very aggressive towards organic material, including leaves, flowers, and you. So be sure to wear goggles [linked by editor to product info at Amazon] and protective gloves [linked by editor to product info at Amazon] as a minimum. It's dangerous stuff. Start with lukewarm water and add a few crystals. It probably doesn't need to be too strong, but never attempt to dilute it: always add the crystals to water, making it stronger if necessary, never add more water. The old adage "Do as you oughta, add acid to water" applies to caustics as well.
You can neutralize the leaf or flower with diluted vinegar.This is book knowledge, I haven't personally done it, so practice on some old leaves or flowers first. Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey