[KCV6]

Having investigated this problem myself, I have come to the conclusion it is because we are not plating withing the optimum temperature/ASI window for our tanks. Copy chrome is a Nickle Cobalt Alloy, NiCo with unfortunately a very high ratio of Cobalt salts (assumption), hence the solution being so red (assumption). Nickle and cobalt plate at different rates (fact). If too much cobalt is crystalised with the nickle it will tarnish yellow (assumption based on some knowledge. LOL).

Unfortunately increasing the temperature of a NiCo mix will make it throw further, but it will also change the ratio of the NiCo alloy. Changing the ASI will also change the ratio.

About all I can suggest is to try what has worked for the likes of Jim and others and fine tune it to suit your needs. Unfortunately metal plating is an art. Here is a good trick that all good plating shops use. Get a Notebook and for every piece you do, write down exactly what the temp of the solution was and try to calculate the ASI as accurately as possible and write it down. If you have a digital camera, take a pic of the item with a ruler for referance and keep this pic, put all this info into a spreadsheet linked to the pics. Eventually you will come up with the perfect combination that you can refer back too. Even better you will be able to work out trends as to what to expect in the way of results.

If you are selling plated items, as many seem to be doing on here, this info is also valuable as you can produce professional reports for customers on their items you have plated.

Just persist with it, Also tanks tend to improve with age.

Cheers

Mark