[somnambulant]

The base metal my part is steel. I do not know the exact surface area because it is a 1inch by 2 inch screen or mesh made of wire that is smaller than 24 gage. I would like to use this process on 6x6in screen if I can get it down. I am building a hydrogen fuel cell for a school project. I am using various plating solutions.
The process I put the 1inch by 2 inch test screen through is:
Wash with acetone.
Burr with 100 grit sand paper.
Re-wash with acetone.
I am using as an RSR DC power supply model HY 3005
Electroclean anodically with Midas electrocleaning solution at 10 volts and .21 milli-Amps. 83C (150F) for 30 to 45 sec. Carbon cartridge cathode and screen anode.
Dip in deionized water.
Dip into Midas acid (NaHF2) dip for 30 sec.
Dip in deionized water.
Dip in Midas (Alkali/Basic) non-cyanide copper plating solution at 2 volts and .21 milli-Amps. 72C (130F) for 30 sec. 200 gram 2X2 inch Hanau Copper anode and screen cathode.
Dip in deionized water.
Dip into Midas acid (NaHF2) dip for 30 sec.
Dip in deionized water.
Dip in Midas (boric acid) bright nickel plating solution at 2 volts and .21 milli-Amps. 77C (140F) for 5 min.
Dip in deionized water. 80 gram 4X2 inch Nickel anode and screen cathode.
Dip into Midas acid (NaHF2) dip for 30 sec.
Dip in deionized water.
Dip in Midas non/low-cyanide gold plating solution at 3 volts and 50C (90F) for 3 min.
Dip in deionized water. 1 oz flattened Gold coin anode and screen cathode.
Place in plastic zip-lock bag to see if rust will form. What went wrong is that rust is forming in my parts. It’s less than it used to be, but it is still forming after about 3 to 4 hours.