Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

-----

Can I add distilled water to Non-Cyanide Silver Solution?

June 6, 2011

I have been electroforming glass pieces with copper for years now and have had success when adding distilled water to the Midas”² Copper Plating Solution, Non-Cyanide from Rio Grande, in order to make up for loss due to multiple uses and evaporation. It doesn't seem to have an impact on the outcome of the plating.

I'm wondering if anyone has used distilled water in the same manner for Midas”² Silver Solution, Non-Cyanide?

Thanks!
Erika

Erika Brown
artist - Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

---

June 12, 2011

Hi Erica

Adding pure (distilled or deionised) water will have no effect on your plating solution except to reduce the concentration of salts; and electroforming solutions usually work at relatively high strength.

Plating baths are usually marked with some sort of level indicator and regularly topped up to this mark with water.

Silver solutions are best used with a silver anode which largely replaces the metal plated out. Many amateurs use a stainless steel anode; in which case your silver content will be constantly depleted and must be replaced with the correct proprietary salts - a much more expensive option.

A word of caution. Non cyanide processes may be less toxic than cyanide. This does not mean that they are completely non-toxic. Handle all chemicals with care. As a minimum you should have a safety data sheet from the manufacturer.

Geoff Smith
Hampshire, England