[RobertsMGB]

Brand new to plating and tried it for the first time today using the electroless nickel plate kit. I'm impressed that it worked! Though it's easy to see now how important surface preparation is. Even small scratches are readily visible.

I'm plating the back piece of an antique alarm clock - Westclox Big Ben. The plating has a somewhat sticky feel to it. Is there a residue that needs to be cleaned off and how does one do that? This piece was originally copper over steel and I did not do the copper plating before the nickel bath. Did I mess up here?