Metal finishing Q&As since 1989
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Getting plating to adhere to glass
We've been copper plating large pieces of blown glass for sale at different galleries in the U.S.We are using a sandblast resist tape that originally was made by 3M to sandblast gravestones to cut a pattern onto the glass pieces.then we are sandblasting the cut away areas through the tape to create the pattern that we are then painting with a conductive silver paint. At this point we are pulling of the tape and then putting the painted piece into the copper plating tank with beautiful results. Smooth or textured depending on the amount of electricity applied. Great process! The problem is we are unable to make the plating adhere to a smooth flat surface of the plates and platters with the above process.It will adhere to a piece when the pattern goes all around the piece , we believe actually shrinking a bit grabbing the piece holding tightly,but on flat surface or just halfway around a piece ,it is just pealing off. We are going to fire a luster glaze onto the surface(design pattern) ideally a copper luster(cheaper)or a silver luster ,hoping that it will adhere more to the glass and then hopefully the plating will adhere better, allowing us to plate flat or partially round surfaces. Does anyone have any suggestions that would help us. Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated. thank you
Jon Anderson1995
Michael Ruston of The Institute of Metal Finishing has secured a possible solution for you--
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1995 Dear Mr Anderson, firstly allow me to apologies for taking so long to respond to your question. Hawking International, a Sustaining Member of the Institute of Metal Finishing replies: If you apply "Liquid Bright Gold" to the glass and fire the glass at a temperature just below its softening point, a conductive film that exhibits good adhesion will develop. It should be possible to plate onto the gold film providing adequate connections can be made. Hawking International would be willing to supply samples if requested. Contact is: Hawking International Ltd, IMF - Birmingham, U.K. |
Good luck.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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