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I want to electroplate an item, then melt the item to leave a hollow object

It is my understanding that plastic can be electroplated by first spraying it with a material to which the electroplating can attach. I would like to know if this process can be used on wax or some other material (ideally reuseable) which can then be melted away to leave a hollow item.

Colin Richmond
Giftware - Asheville, North Carolina
2005

Yes it's possible. It's called electroforming, and hollow gold earrings have been made this way for some time now. That does not mean, however, that the industrial science of electroforming can be successfully accomplished by a hobbyist. But talk to Technic, who offer the equipment and chemistry for this.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Ted is available for instant help
or longer-term assistance.
2005

2005

This ic known as Electroforming.
First make wax coductive by Siver paint/ink
Spray powdered Silver mixed with thinner.Dry.
Plate copper as ensure you got plating on the surface in full.
Plate the required topcoat of Nickel,Gold etc.
Dip the substance in boiling water to rmove wax.
You get the hollow substance (Make sure you plate more than 100 microns)

T.K. Mohan
plating process supplier - Mumbai, India

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