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Brush plating experience
Can anyone tell me, what are disadvantages and problems of Brush Plating ( selective plating). Is it really so expensive? How critical is the activation? Could it be done faster? I bought equipment, but delaying start up! Need encouragement, or partner.
Thanks,
Ruth Mirkovic- Jerusalem, Israel, Israel
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Hi, Ruth.
What you might need for that is Marvin Rubinstein's book
Electrochemical Metallizing
Good luck.
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 Ted Mooney, P.E. finishing.com Brick, New Jersey |
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Dear Mr. Mooney,
Thank you for the prompt response. I was hoping that I will get what I asked for, and what I need. I am M's, electrochemist, with over 20 years of experience in the field, and I certainly could find the literature myself, and I of course have all the manuals of the Brush Plating.
I need real experience, or real person, definitely not to be told, what I need. I apologize if my english as a second language, heard your Laconic answer as something else than you meant it to be.
Ruth Mirkovic- Jerusalem, Israel
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Ms. Mirkovic,
I'm as imperfect as anyone else, but I didn't found this site so I could be laconic; I did it because I enjoy answering metal finishing questions as well as I can. You asked four questions which each require essays in response, and I recommended the one book that I feel contains those four essays in great depth.
I didn't recommend it based on a quick google lookup for a brush plating book; rather I know the book intimately because I was charged with doing the book review for it for the American Electroplaters Society, and because I have listened to Mr. Rubinstein's lectures on the topic on several occasions.
I don't understand you asking for help, then when I try to offer it, throwing your education and experience back in my face.
This is the life's work of the world's foremost authority on brush plating; if you haven't seen it, please at least thumb through it before condemning my answer.
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 Ted Mooney, P.E. finishing.com Brick, New Jersey |
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Brush plating is fantastic for some things and terrible for others. It is a terribly operator-sensitive form of plating. This is overcome by reading the instructions well, buying a book on the subject, setting your equipment up so that you can make very rapid brush changes and the biggest unsaid secret is keep the area being plated wet at all times. It does take knowledge and practice, but you have the equipment, try it, you may like it. Work at it and you will love it.
James Watts- Navarre, Florida
First of two simultaneous responses -- +++
Ms. Mirkovic,
While I agree with Mr. Watts that brush plating is operator sensitive. It is a robust process that has a proven record for yielding consistent, high quality plating deposits.
Concerning your question on how important is metal preparation, I would say it is very important. Brush plating is after all an electrolytic plating process and as in the case of conventional tank plating, sound activation procedures must be followed.
Chris Helwig- Valencia, California
Second of two simultaneous responses -- +++
Hi Mirkovic,
I have been experience with brush plating system from last 3 and half years.
Brush plating is very good system for small & big items if you don't have big tanks brush plating can help you lot and with brush plating if you want to apply on newbrand product it is very best system easy to use it depends from where you buy the system. I have done 2 big jobs of old brass chandeliers and on brass sticks(11"L and .5"D.)
With brush plating you can not do thicker coating like if you think to plate copper on steel and then bright copper to get mirror like finish it is very hard to do. Then you will need tank plating.
Dipen Pattni
jeweler/goldsmith - Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania
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Several problems, not only activation but roughness, anode erosion, warping damage, solution spillage and loss, surrounding area contamination, blisters, cracks, spalls and a number of other points (even aches from staying in the same position for hours) will increase exponentially when you try to build up a thick plate. Also, when the plate is subject to heavy stresses or conditions, such as the ones encountered in industry.
For touch up, decorative or light work it's fantastic and activation is almost never a problem. Sometimes the plating solutions can be used as self activators after a conventional thorough cleaning. About being expensive haven't you bought any solutions yet? Compared to conventional plating, hell yes they are expensive. But if BP is the best method then it pays. G. Marrufo-Mexico
Guillermo MarrufoMonterrey, NL, Mexico
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Ruth,
I know I'm about three years late but I only recently found your question.
I received my original certification in Electrochemical Deposition (Brush Plating), in 1979. I have successfully plated everything from giant bull gears, aircraft upper elevator hinges, to large production parts as small as .040" O.D by .040" long.
My best advice is to eliminate all variables. By that I mean there are a lot of things that can go wrong. The sooner you learn to identify and eliminate them, the faster you will become and less frustrated with your outcome.
I don't think there are disadvantages to brush plating, as with any tool it's advantage is, it can be used where other tools wouldn't work as well. Before I plan any job I first qualify that Brush Plating is the best fix available.
The most significant problem with the system is that most operators don't have enough experience. It has been my experience that contamination foils the novice plater more than anything else.
Expensive? That depends on the relationship of your bottom line. Is it an asset or a liability? It has been my experience that my customers have found my services to be close to priceless, I'm always a hero in their eyes because I've saved them so much time and money.
Yes activation is critical. Everything from pre-planning to clean-up is critical.
I can't assume to qualify "faster" without having a speed to compare with.
If you haven't already given up on the process, I would be more than happy to give you any encouragement you need.
I will be happy to provide you with any technical assistance. I stopped plating in 2000' to pursue other interest but I'm sure I can help you more than most.
- Marysville, California, USA
December 1, 2010
Dear Sir:
I have been reading your Forum and really appreciate the information that is given there. I am a retiring sheet metal worker and am looking at doing brush plating on motorcycle parts that are on bikes as a way to supplement my income as I am motorcyclist also. I am also somewhat of a purist and believe in giving my customers the best job I can do. I have been looking at different systems and the cost varies from around 1000.00 to 2500.00 for a complete system, I was wondering if you could give me some pointers on what to consider when buying the power source for doing the brush plating. And also is there any truth in the claim that a pulsing current does a better job than a regular DC rectifier with voltage taps for different settings. I an also looking For a book on this subject, I have a very limited income right know but would like one book that would cover entry level Brush Plating ,solutions and the proper amps and voltage for doing the job.
Thank you Dan
Motorcycle Event vendor - Sparta Wisconsin
^- Privately contact this inquirer -^
December 2, 2010
Hi, Daniel.
Sorry, we don't compare brands in this forum. Most production platers do not use pulse power supplies because they are yet another variable to tame in an already complex process, but there are some limited individual applications where pulse plating is useful. I do not know of any literature that investigates the applicability of pulsed power supplies to brush plating, however. If you want a book, there is no alternative to Rubinstein's; you might be able to find it in a large city library or university library.
"90% of plating is pretreatment", and that usually bodes well for a motorcycle plater. Most of the parts you will meet up with probably have quality nickel+chrome plating on them, and you'll just strip the thin layer of chrome and apply gold or whatever onto the already bright, shiny, corrosion-resistant nickel plating. But if you run into cases where you have to re-plate grungey pitted old die-castings, you'll soon see how hard plating can be :-)
Regards,
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Ted Mooney, P.E. finishing.com Brick, New Jersey |
July 19, 2011
Training, training, training! I cannot emphasize the value of training by an experienced instructor who has spent many years working with brush plating systems. This system is NOT one you learn from a book. It has too many variables and using a book will not give you all the variables. Don't get me wrong, Marv Rubenstein's book "Electro-Chemical Metalizing is the best source for information but don't forget the manufacturer's technical manual.
Training at your place of business will be tailor-made for your situation. Usually one week or less by a competent instructor will be enough,however,you must use the system regularly to fully understand the ins and outs of brush plating. It really depends on what you intend to do with the system. If you are a hobbyist, you only need to learn what directly applies to your needs. On the other hand,if you have a company that does repair services and you need to have several employees trained, an experienced instructor is a must. Training is usually one or two weeks long, depending on number of trainees and the type of work to be accomplished. Learning theory is very important but taking that theory to the shop is where the real learning curve begins. An instructor with a machining and repair background is invaluable. Brush plating is a valuable tool to have, especially if you have someone to guide you through the ins and outs of the process. Choosing the right instructor and motivated trainees will insure that your system will used to full advantage.
- Sewanee, Tennessee, USA
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