[KCV6]

Hi Gardner,

With the flash copper, I have found that it goes on quite bright and with a "reasonable shine" if the underlying material is first polished. The more polished the base, the more polished the finish. I have never managed a full polished look from the flash copper tank.

I have only been using flash copper and CC on rusted and badly pitted automotive brackets etc and have had relatively good success.

I wire brush and scotchbrite wheel the items first to remove any existing chrome and the bulk of the rust. I then use a 10% hydrocloric acid bath to remove all remaining rust. Basically a 2 parts tap water to 1 part pool acid mix. this also strips any unwanted zinc.

I believe a vital step when using acid to strip is to thouroughly rinse the part and bake in an oven for at least 1 hour at 240 deg C or more, the higher the temp the better. this will help the metal to outgas and prevent embrittlement.

I have avoided the Acid copper (wife says no. LOL) and used the solder method to fill any pits. I have found that 30 minutes of flash copper followed by solder fill and sand/scotchbrite wheel followed by 30 minutes more flash copper works well. the item is then buffed and CC'd. I repeat the flash copper and solder process until the item is defect free. I believe you will have faster results with the acid copper, with less itterations of tank, fill, sand, tank, fill,sand. Would love Acid copper.

As for the Pot metal.... will let you know, have my first piece in process now. flash copper covered perfetly and have soldered all the pits. Am currently cleaning up the solder with my dremmel ready for a second flash copper.

Best of luck with the plating.

Mark