[mcaswell]

spectraflamed wrote:
Sorry for all the questions here it goes:

After I polish and before I go to plate I know I need to clean the metal from all the polshing compound and other junk that may be on it, is the cleaner you list in your kits the step that does this?

Yes

Will a piece of copy chrome tarnish at a much slower rate than just a piece of buffed/polished metal?

Yes

Will applying a clearcoat like the por stuff help eliminate or slow down tarnishing on a plated piece? and/or a buffed/polished piece?

Yes

If candy (transparent) painting over parts of the chrome surface is nickel or zinc plating just as effective in terms of shine and resistance to tarnish?

No, chrome(with a nickel base) is more resistant.

What happens if you plate something that has plastic as part of it? Will the plastic come out just fine or change color, melt etc..?

Plastic will not be plated, unless you want it plated, then you'll have to cover in conductive powder. Won't melt unless using electroless system, which has high temp liquids.

If I polish a piece of metal using your polish products and then clean with a degreaser or laquer thinner and paint right away will the paint keep the metal from tarnishing?

Naturally

would plating the piece first help reduce the chance of tarnishing?

Really depends on the specific application, but generally yes.

I know plating plastic is tricky but just how hard is it? After plating metals for a few months with one of your kits and getting a feel for how it works would plating plastic be possible?

Yes. Compare plating to spray painting a car. Would you spray paint you car? Probably not. Would you after practicing on old cars for a few months? More likely.

What plate do you recommend for items that will not be in heavy use (indoors and not handled much) but need to resist tarnishing (due to being displayed)?

What finish do you want? What are the parts? Gold, silver, nickel?

With your kits is everything included or do you need a power source or anything else? What do you use the put the parts into the plating solution?

Power source generally isn't included. You also need some small stuff like copper wire, piece of copper pipe etc. You suspend the part into the solution from a copper bar over the tank, by a piece of copper wire.


Is it difficult to store the plating materials when not using them? Do you have to clean up everything everytime or can you set up the system and use it as needed?

You can easily store indefinately. Just put the lid back on and put on a shelf.

Many thanks for the help I look forward toplacing an order SOON!!

I would recommend getting our plating manual before ordering. It will give you some insight about what's involved, without a large expense on your part. It's $25, and is refunded when you buy a kit that includes the manual as part of the price.