Copy Chrome Immersion system questions.

[Great_Scott]

I have a few questions related to the use of the Copy Chrome Immersion system to plate an aluminum primary cover on my motorcycle;

1. I understand after polishing I must treat it with the Zincate treatment. If I only want the outer surface plated do I paint the inside with laquer paint to mask it and then use the Zincate followed by the plating or, if I only Zincate the outside surface will that prevent the inside from plating so I can skip the laquer paint masking step?

2. This cover is an odd shape. Can I build a tank the shape of the cover out of inexpensive materials such as 1/4" luan plywood and then line that tank with a heavy duty trash bag or will that not be enough to contain the plating solution?

3. When performing the plating operation, does the tank get covered or can it be left open?

4. I assume the power requirements are determined by the total area of the piece being plated. As the area increases, does the voltage remain constant and the current (amperage) increase or do both voltage and amperage need to be adjusted?

Thanks in advance, Scott

[mcaswell]

1. You need to lacquer the side you don't want plated. If you don't lacquer, the side that you don't want plated will still try to plate, thus drawing amperage.

2. Yes that's fine.

3. You can leave it open.

4. Amperage increases, voltage remains constant.

[Great_Scott]

I know you have to regulate the voltage but as far as the amperage goes, does the item being plated draw a certain amperage based on its conductive area or will it draw all available amperage and therefore require some sort of amperage regulation?

[mcaswell]

It definately requires amperage regulation. A large section of our manual is dedicated to this topic. A good plating rectifier (we're currently out of stock) works well for this as well.