Gene, You don't have to have an ultrasonic cleaner. it just insures that the parts are real clean.
I use a small 8oz type that is used for jewelry. It is a true ultrasonic (about $80.00) and not one of those cheap $15-20 cleaners.
I use about a capful of "Cascade" automatic dishwasher detergent in the cleaner.
After buffing, I remove the majority of the buffing compound using lacquer thinner and paper towels followed by a scrub with "Dawn" dish washing detergent using a soft toothbrush.
If the parts are small enough to go into the ultrasonic cleaner I still do the above and ultrasonic clean them for a few minutes. A hot water rinse (don't dry the part) and then "hot" into the plating solution.
By "Hot" I mean the part is all wired up to the power supply and then gets lowered into the solution.
If I was plating nickel over existing nickel, the cleaning steps above would be the same, except that the part would go into the battery acid pickle for 30 seconds, a 15 second rinse, and I would reverse the current (the leads hooked up "backwards" from normal) and reverse plate the part for (10) seconds then switch the leads back to their normal position. Normal being the positive on the anode and negative on the part.
The battery acid pickle re-activates (micro etches) the existing nickel and reverse plating the part further insures the part is ready to accept the new plating. Just don't reverse plate for too long. 10/15 seconds is plenty.
I know a lot of this does not apply to you since you are currently brush plating, however, never hurts to have too much info.
When you get the Casswell manual, keep it handy and read through it often. OK, so it is a "Guy" thing, but keeping it in the bathroom works for me. LOL
As far as you "jumping the gun".....hey, how else are you ever going to learn something new. An old boss once told me "You never know if you can do it unless you try". This boss was a real pain in the A$$, but I can't tell you how much I learned from him. I owe him a lot for what he taught me over the years.
Keep on keeping on!
George W.
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