[dadkar2]

You'll get better results if you run the tank at around 120F with plenty of agitation. Keep the anodes clean; ie, if they get coated with oxide, clean them up with Scotchbrite and rinse with distilled water. Run the current at 100mA per sq in or less. Don't run it higher because this will, as you have found, simply darken and oxidize the plating.

Keep the right amount of brightener in the mix. In my tanks, too much brightener works against me and actually makes the parts duller.

I'm confused as to why your parts rusted. That doesn't make much sense. Are you sure you achieved any plating at all? ie, did you actually measure the current flowing during the plating operation to make sure it was actually plating?

Ken