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Copper plating of leaves not quite good enough

2004

I am trying to copper plate leaves not only for a hobby but also as a source of income. I am using an electrolyte of CuSO4-5H2O + H2SO4 + deionized water, a constant current power supply and I have covered the leaves with a lack containing graphite ( the resistance is quite high when dry) and as an anode I have tried copper wire and various other sources of copper. The results have been a powdery bright copper plating taking 12 hrs. with a current of ~0.1A. My question is .. How to get a solid shiny copper plated finish and is there a spray or paint ready for use that would give me better results?

Supplies are very hard to find in this country and are very expensive when available.

Robert Frankel
Hobbyist - Tel-Mond, Israel

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2004

Dear Robert!

Ref book -using a parafine/wax/ print to do plating and mixing graphite with water or vodka. For insects should be treated in mercury chloride 1.5%(HgCL2)-dry-lacquer-graphite-plating.

Good luck

Khair Shishani
aircraft maintenance - Al Ain, UAE