Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


-----

Copper plating my laptop

Hi,

I have a Asus W3V laptop and the palm rests are starting to wear away and starting to look ugly. I recently read an article about how devices in the past looked better or functioned better with age (ex. iron skillet) and of the beautiful finish of aged copper.

Is there a way for me to plate the palm rests of my laptop with copper. It's not a metal but a plastic.

Thanks,

Sriram Thodla
- Chicago, Illinois, USA
2007

---

First of two simultaneous responses --

Plating on plastic is not chicken feed. On the other hand, at the pace electronic devices become obsolete these days maybe you should forget it and start looking for another lap. That's why they are no longer made long lasting.

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
2007

---

Second of two simultaneous responses --

Sriram

This is probably not a good idea. The reason you have wear is the constant contact with your hands.

Copper plus normal sweaty hands equals dermatitis. This is known to platers as 'copper itch'

Also plating processes usually mean immersing the parts in chemical solutions. OK with an iron skillet but instant death to a laptop unless you strip out all the electronics first which could be a major job.

Geoff Smith
Hampshire, England
2007

---

Sriram
We plate plastics all the time. Production, custom parts, prototype...most everything.
If your palm pads are detachable, we can surely plate them.
We don't use conductive paint, but the good old OEM preplate technology.
Regards,

Rob Coffie
Warren, Michigan, USA
2007

---

IDEA
Use an epoxy to improve surface presentation.

Jose Castellanos
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
2007

---

Try leaf coppering(same as leaf gilding-process is simple-you must buy copper leaf(any better artist shop must have it) and special sticky lacquer (mixtion).And you must clearcoat finished object (Everbrite [a finishing.com supporting advertiser] is good brand). Hope it helps and good luck!

Goran Budija
- Cerovski vrh Croatia
2007