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Red Rouge contamination of nickel plating

2006

We use Red jeweler's rouge (polishing/buffing compound) [affil links] Coloring compound in brass gravity and die cast products. These products are then chrome plated. Red rouge stick compound is non water soluble.

Is there any knowledge in the group of detrimental effects of Red Rouge in plating quality, in terms of pitting in Watts or Bright Nickel.

Thanks,

Shriyans Jain
consumer products - North East, Wisconsin

Hi, Shriyans. Polishing compounds are very frequently employed on metal products before plating, so your situation is not at all unusual. However, the compounds must be removed both because of their grit and the binders.

If this is a really high volume application, power washers or ultrasonic cleaners can be employed. But, generally, a soak clean followed by an electroclean will handle it. What you want to be careful to avoid is vapor degreasing because this leaches out all of the liquifiers and leaves behind an insoluble deposit. Good luck!

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
September 2, 2009