Nickel bandage question...

[Coltsaa]

Plating using Caswell's nickel electroplate kit. Great results! Is there a time limit on how long the bandages can be used on nickel anodes? I wash the anodes thoughtly with distilled water after each use. Starting to get pretty heavy yellow stains on the bandages? Does anyone replace bandages and if so at what interval?
Just trying to cover all the bases since everything is working 100% so far!

[sross]

It's nothing but a fancy gauze pad. (Not the non-stick kind.)

If you are tank plating and the anode is not even near the piece you're doing, why bandage? It's just to prevent a dead short. Being further back gives you a broader throw to a point.

Seth

[Coltsaa]

Thanks for the reply. I was under the impression that the bandage absorbed some substance during the plating process to keep from contaminating the solution.

[mcaswell]

The bandages are there for several reasons.

1. Bandages retain the residue from the oxides formed by the dissolution of the anode (the rusting process). This oxide will eventually contaminate the solution.
2. Bandages also make the plating more even, a more 'level' plate.

[Coltsaa]

double post sorry!

[Coltsaa]

Thanks for the reply Caswell! Is there any replacement interval that you recommend for replacement of the bandages in an electroplating nickel set-up?

[mcaswell]

One bandage should last the life of the anode, unless it gets really gunked up.

[Coltsaa]

Thank you very much Caswell! Excellent product! Excellent results!

[dadkar2]

I have had trouble keeping the anode "bandages" secure without using rubber bands....those tend to deteriorate in the plating solution. I also became impatient with bits of the gauze floating off into the solution.

Here's one that I have used with great results. Cut the feet off of a white nylon pantyhose. You can buy a cheap one for a few dollars. They tend to hold themselves onto the anode, and don't require anything to keep them in place.

Kind regards,
Ken