Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Finger prints on black nickel finish

I had some aluminum sheet metal parts bead blasted then black nickel-plated. The parts look great until you pick them up. It was like I had just eaten a bag of potato chips. The reason we picked black nickel was for the color and conductivity. Is there something I can do to stop the fingerprints but keep conductivity?

Don Porter
- San Jose, California
2002

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2002

Still looking for an answer to the Black Nickel plating question. I see another query #14776 inquired how to prevent finger prints from spotting a Black Nickel finish. This question wasn't answered either, but due to the fact the query was made, I feel the Black Nickel process is a valid.

Maybe I should have posed my question in a more simple fashion, rather than to have given so much back ground history when, or where. Such as:

1. 1. Is there a process called Black Nickel?

2. 2. (Cost wise) how practical would it be... to apply this additional technique, rather than use Nickel plating only, as a rust inhibitor?

3. 3. Approximately how long can Black Nickel remain effectively on metal?

4. 4. Would Black Nickel plating flake as it aged?

Are there other sources I might draw upon that could supply some answers? I've already emailed several plating companies, and the answers ranged from "we do not do this process, or I know little about that particular process."

Bob Jerore
Caro, Michigan, USA

Black electroless nickel should not get fingerprints any more easily than plain electroless nickel. The finger print problem could be caused by the surface finish.The plating should should not flake or peel. It is more expensive than plain electroless nickel. You should not have to look far to find a source.

Todd Osmolski
- Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
2002

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I used to operate a black chrome line. The last step in the process was to hand rub the parts with oil soaked cotton gloves. This would give the black chrome a great shine, and finger prints were no longer an issue. It is the oils in your skin that cause the finger print to show. Try applying oil or a Turtlewax liquid car polish [affil links] type product to the finish before it has time to cure. Let me know if it works.

Steve Delaney
- Ontario
2002

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2007

Usually when we talk about electroless nickel, we mean some of the Kanigen solutions. That creates NiP composite with ~90% nickel and ~10% phosphorus. This is one of the best coating processes, but how to do it black? Changing composition or introducing black submicron particles into solution - particles will be co-deposited and trapped in nickel. The only composition I know to produce anything BLACK is Kaniblack, unluckily covered by a patent, but otherwise very good. Have a look by yourself at www.kanigen.co.jp/english/sales.htm [Ed. note: URL is no longer functional]

Mario Baladur
- Skalica, Slovakia

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Although Kanigen was the first electroless nickel, that was decades ago; now there are many suppliers.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2007

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Does anyone know a company that I can purchase something like this Kaliblack.

I need a product that I can add to an Electroless Nickel bath to turn it black

steve johnson
- johnson city Tennessee
July 29, 2009

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July 31, 2009

Hi, Steve. We have many threads about black electroless nickel. letters 9558, 4541, 45977, 51932 seem to be among the most applicable for you. However, your desired approach of adding some chemical to a functioning electroless nickel bath is not the usual way to get a black electroless nickel coating and I'm not sure it is a good way. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

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May 3, 2011

Hi Steve,

What type of oil did you use on the soaked gloves to fix the finger prints issue?

Was it a industrial oil or do you remember what type?

Thanks in advance!

David Scott
- Bothell, Washington