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


-----

Can anyone tell me how to use Aquadag?

2007

I've purchased some Aquadag from a chemical company in SA. Now I've received the product I have absolutely no idea what to do with it.
I'm wanting to coat a baby bottle and dummy to be able to gold plate them for a client of mine. Can anyone tell me how to use this black gooey stuff called Aquadag.
Thank you

KAREN MACBETH
- Caloundra, Queensland

---

Aquadag is a trade name for a line of specially formulated conductive paints offered by Acheson Colloids, which are used to metallize non-conductive materials in preparation for plating them. If you contact Acheson they should be able to provide technical data sheets. However, you'll want to be sure that what you bought wasn't counterfeit and that you selected the appropriate product for your needs.

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

---

August 3, 2010

We are a supplier of laboratory chemicals and Aquadag is among the products we supply. This was obtained from the Acheson website about Aquadag
"Mixing and Dilution
For best results, stir the concentrate to break up the gel structure before adding water.
Next, slowly add de-ionized water to the concentrate. When a fluid consistency is achieved, water can be added at a more rapid rate. Failure to achieve correct dilution can result in small gel structures remaining in the fluid. The presence of these structures can adversely affect performance. A high-speed and high-shear mixer is recommended to properly disperse the product.
When mixing larger amounts (5 liters and up), you should first cover the bottom of the container with several centimeters of water and use a Cowles-type dissolver blade at 750 to 1200 rpm, or other high shear blade. Then add the Aquadag E and slowly add additional water to the Aquadag E while the mixer is stirring.
For even more critical applications commercial dispersing systems such as an Ultra Turrax T 45 should be used following the initial 30-minute mix mentioned above. For proper wetting> and to prevent spoilage, the desired pH should be controlled by additions of ammonia.
Application
Diluted Aquadag E may be applied by spray, brush, dip, or sponge methods. The optimum
viscosity for each method is best established by pretesting."

Peter MacDonald
- Johannesburg, South Africa

Where do I buy Aquadag in Australia. I need it for steam engine lubrication.

Kerry Hill
engineer - Buderim, Australia
September 14, 2011

----
Ed. note: I believe that Acheson Industries of Port Huron, Michigan, USA was bought out by Henkel Corp. (henkel.com). Please contact Henkel about their distributorship info. Finishing.com is made possible for camaraderie and technical information exchange by our supporting advertisers, and we really can't spend their money on maintaining distributorship info for their competitors who don't support this site :-)

Good luck.