Copy Chrome Setup Need Help Please

[WIKD]

Greetings All,

I have received my kits and have set everything up as per instructed by the manual. I sprayed my parts with a thin layer of silvaspray and then proceeded to Acid Copper. Some of the parts picked up a very dull layer of copper. Please see pictures. I then went onto the Copy Chrome. The parts came out very dark and dull. No good at all, please see picture.

So I then thought that I should step back and start again using a piece of copper pipe before proceeding to plastic. I did not have a buffing machine, as it was back ordered. The buffing machine came in a couple days ago, and I got around to setting it up today.

I am working with:
3 Gallon Acid Copper
3 Gallon Copy Chrome
3 Gallon SP Degreaser
I purchased a power supply on eBay.
The "TEKPOWER VARIABLE DC POWER SUPPLY 0-18 VOLTS @ 0-3 AMPS"

My first problem began with the pump breaking. Out to Wal mart where I found a couple submersible power head pumps for about 18.00 a piece.
These seem to work great and alot better than the one I received that broke.

I have NO experience with buffing. I followed the steps in the manual and got the copper pipe very reflective and shiny. I did this by using the black bar and two buffing wheels. I then plated it in the Acid copper. It seemed to have came out ok.

This is my first question as the Caswell plating manual is not clear on a few things. Should I buff the copper again, or should I go straight to the Copy Chrome tank to avoid any type of oxidation?

I rewired the copper pipe and placed it in the Copy Chrome tank. The pipe came out very very dull. Please see attached pic. Buffing did not help.

I setup the tanks according to the Caswell manual. I checked the manual for Dull plate and it states that there may not be enough brightener. It does not say in the manual when setting up the Copy Chrome tank to add any brightener. Could this be my problem? I do have an extra bottle of brightener that came with the kits but the label states it is for use with the Acid Copper?

I am running 1 AMP and 5-7 Volts.

The temps of my solution vats are 70-80 degrees with the exception of the SP Degreaser.

I am totally lost with the plastic parts, and would just like to get something, anything to come out with a chrome look. I appreciate your time, and thank you for reading this.

I can be reached at:

Zoid@Zoid.US

Thanks!

[upncoming]

is there anybody who can help him out on this.. this seems like something that would have had to happen to everybody at one point.. only reason im chimming in is because im ordering my kit this week and could come back to this and not make a repost if i have the same problem..

[upncoming]

HEY DID YOU EVER COME UP WITH A WAY TO FIX YOUR PROBLEM?... sorry for the caps

[cbrooks]

When setting up your copy chrome tank the directions on the crystals state to heat, allow to cool then add the brightener. If after copper plating you notice any defects then buff them out before proceeding to the copy chrome. Thoroughly clean the part again making sure that it passes the water break test before going on. Your amps should be set using one amp per 32 square inches. Then the plating time should be for 90 minutes to get a good plating thickness.