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world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


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Electroplating Kit under $50.00

I recently sent a question about DIY Silver Plating and got an answer that made very good sense. Don't do it at home. Now I have found a product on "eBay " at $41.00 which claims to silver plate using an electric process. Can you look at this and advise if it is just a re-hash of the silver paint application, or if it has potential. I have reviewed your past letters and do not find anything like this mentioned. I do not want to be using a compound that might be harmful, or pose a potential danger.
Thanks

John Commons
Hobbyist - Dallas, Texas
2007

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We have a FAQ, "Silver Plating at Home", which should answer most of your questions, John. The item you you refer to does actual electroplating as opposed to immersion plating (which is not to say that it does it well) using an inexpensive DC adaptor as the power source. As for whether the electroplating solution in question is cyanide based (and thus terribly dangerous) or not (and thus won't give you true "white" silver), the seller would have to advise you.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2007

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Its a joke. Stop and think. If any kind of plating could be done that cheap then all of the professional shops would not be in business.
Plating is hard work requiring expensive equipment and chemicals.

Frank DeGuire
- St. Louis, Missouri, USA
2007