Summary for degreasing copper cylinders Discussion
Degreasing copper cylinders for chrome plating is the core issue in this thread: Kaushik Magiawala says laser-burned copper and steel rolls, cooled with liquid, are coming out unevenly etched or patchy after chrome, and anodic degreasing has not solved it. The thread points to an older recommendation from Garry Williams, who says the best method he has found for de-greasing and de-oxidising copper cylinders before chrome plating is a mixture of hydrochloric acid, pure turpentine, and methylated spirit. He adds that it should be pre-mixed and allowed to mature for at least three days, then wiped off with meths and a dry wipe before going straight to plating. When asked for exact proportions, another reply says it is just a mix rather than a compound, so there may not be one exact ratio. The discussion therefore offers a promising but not fully specified shop-floor treatment, with some uncertainty about proportions.
Q. We burn copper based and steel cylinders by laser. We use liquid as coolant while burning metal. Our problem is we’re unable to chrome such rolls especially copper. We have tried anodic degreasing, etc., but no luck. The design burn also becomes unevenly etched or causes patches after chrome.
What is the best chemical?
What are recommended parameters? C.D, Temp, liquid proposed to degrease, time, volt, reverse current degreasing? Cathode material? Thanks in advance.
Kaushik Magiawala
– Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
August 13, 2021
A. Hi Kaushik. We appended your inquiry to a thread where Garry Williams previously offered what sounds like a promising solution. Please try it and let us have your feedback! Thanks.
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
August 2021
Thanks Mooney. I will try it but I need proportion in which three chemicals to be used. I have sent it to Garry Williams. Regards.
Kaushik Magiawala
Technical Advisor – Ahmedabad, India
August 21, 2021
A. It’s just a mix, not a compound, so I don’t think there is a ‘right’ answer; you might experiment a bit because Gary is probably not monitoring his posting 17 years later … but good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
August 2021
⇩ Similar, related, Q&As — oldest first ⇩
Q. Dear sir.
I am an engraver on copper, zinc, silver, and steel. and now I am trying to go on to electroplating system.
The question is about degreasing, I need help about acid names, quantities, and how to work with a degreasing system.
Thank you for your help.
Mitri G. Maalouf
Acid etching and engraving – Kfartey, Metn, Lebanon
2003
A. Mitri,
The best method we have found for de-greasing + de-oxidising copper cylinders prior to chrome plating is a mixture made up of hydrochloric acid , pure turpentine
⇦ on
eBay or
Amazon [affil link]
+ methylated spirit . This should be pre-mixed and allowed to mature (at least 3 days). Once this has been applied, a good wipe off with meths + a dry wipe, + straight to plating … good luck, I’ll try to get back to you with % of mix.
Garry Williams
engraver/gravure – Lancashire, England
2004
August 21, 2021
Dear Garry,
I am willing to try mix of HCl, Turpentine and methylated spirits. May I know proportion of each? Thanks in advance.
We try electrical too and have not succeeded but if your formula works…salute.
Ours is copper burning using laser followed by chrome plating.
Kaushik Magiawala
Technical Advisor – Ahmedabad