Summary for water marks after nickel plating Discussion
Water marks after nickel plating were reported on brass watch components with a matte nickel finish, even after hot distilled-water final rinses. Joseph Padilla Caranto asked for help, noting the parts were sandblasted before plating and dried with a hair dryer. Mark Baker said the drying step may be the issue and suggested oil-free compressed air before the final drying step, while also checking for solution entrapment and the overall post-plating process. Michael Berrier advised paying close attention to rinsing both before and after nickel plating, warning that poor rinsing after activation can create etching that looks like water marks; he also suggested a rinse aid or water shedder and asked why bright nickel was not used for a decorative finish. Neil Bell said the final rinse water may simply not be clean enough to prevent spotting. In a follow-up, Mark Baker reiterated clean DI rinse water, low chloride levels, and possible use of rinsing agents.
2007
Q. Good day !
Our company is engaging on watch component manufatcuring with a quantity of gold jewelry. Hence some of the watch components need to undergo with nickel plating with our requirement is to obtain matt nickel finish.
Following all the parameters such as temperature , pH and so on , including changing of all water rinses with Hot distilled water as final rinse , still we’ve noted a what we cal water marks especially at the side of the plated material.
We are using brass as our base metal which applied sand blasting for polishing before giving to plating.
Could anyone please share his / her expert ideas on how to solve this problem?
Any information given will more appreciated.
Thanking You.
Joseph Padilla caranto
WATCH AND JEWELRY COMPANY – Zhuhai City , China
A. Joseph,
You don’t mention the drying process. I take it the parts are rack plated? If you have ruled out solution entrapment and improvements were made in the rinsing cycle, perhaps a oil free air blow dry before the final dying process will help. I would have to actually view the post plating process to help further. Good Luck!
Mark Baker
Process Engineer – Syracuse, New York
2007
A. Pay attention to your rinsing both before and after the nickel plate. If you are not rinsing adequately enough after activation and before Nickel plating you can get what appears to be water marks, but is actually etching of the base metal. Also, why not use a bright nickel, since it sounds like you need a decorative finish. Consider a rinse aid as well, possibly alcohol or some other water shedder. Good Luck.
Michael Berrier
– Addison, Illinois, USA
2007
A. Your final rinse water is simply not clean enough to avoid spotting.
Neil Bell
Albuquerque, New Mexico
2007
2007
Q. Dear Mr. Mark Baker,
Thanks for the recommendation regarding the said topic.
Further after hot distilled water , I usually dry the said goods using hair blow dryer applied with little temperature.
Mr. Baker, could you please specify about the oil free dry after plating? or what ?
Could recommend us further additional chemical treatment after nickel plating?
Very thankful for your positive expert idea on this matter.
Best Regards.
Joseph Padilla Caranto
WATCH AND JEWELRY COMPANY – Zhuhai City , China
A. Joseph,
Most platers use oil free compressed air. If your plant does not have a central air compressor, you can buy a oil free portable model at the local home improvement store. This should be used after the final rinse and then dry as you are now. Previous responses by Michael and Neil are good pointers. Make sure the final DI water rinse is clean enough (watch those chloride levels). There are rinsing agents / water shedders available on the market that can help.
Mark Baker
Process Engineer – Syracuse, New York
2007