copy chrome stoped working

[jtagger19]

I have a Q
I was doing some parts and everything was working great
came back in the morning to finish the parts and the copy chrome started plating only in spots leaving the cooper completely untouch in some areas
and after 3 or 4 tries it completedly stoped plating
parts come out just as I deep them in .

is it time to add more crystals
also I took the anodes out and they where fully covered in crystals is this normal

[dadkar2]

Hello,

You shouldn't have to touch your copy chrome solution with one exception. If it starts plating a little dull, you add 2 ounces per gallon of brightener, but ONLY when it starts plating dull.

What is more likely happening to you is your hanger wires or bar are getting corroded. Are you measuring a current while the part is in the solution?

Kind regards,
Ken

[dadkar2]

Sorry I missed your point about the anodes.

I don't know what's going on with the crystals on the anodes. In 3 years of plating I've never seen that.

Try cleaning off the anodes thoroughly and trying again. Are you using anode bags?

Another obvious question: Did you accidentally reverse the polarity anode/cathode?

Ken

[jtagger19]

yes I use the bags the kit came with I've been ussing this kit for over 5 months with no problems
I cleaned the anodes and still didn't work and after trying again more crystal apeared on the anodes
I always clean the tank bar before starting
I'm ussing a CV/CC power supply
one thing I did notice is that a few weeks ago the parts started coming out gray still a very light buff took care of that

[dadkar2]

Did you try adding brightener when the plate started to dull?

Ken

[jtagger19]

no, I don't have any brightener .
and since it still came out fine after a very light buff I didn't thought it was bad .
you think it needs brightener ?

[dadkar2]

It's worth a try and the brightener is not that expensive. Just don't overdo it.

Ken

[dadkar2]

By the way, 5 months is about all I get out of my nickel before it needs a brightener recharge.

If the brightener works, you should next check the pH. Additions of brightener will usually somewhat raise the pH. It should run between 3.5 and 4.5. It's not hard to adjust. Add about a teaspoon of hydrochloric acid at a time, run the aeration on your tank and check the pH again in about an hour. NEVER add more than a teaspoon of acid at a time. ALWAYS wait 1 hour with the aeration running before trying again.

I will tell you however that I have run my nickel as high as 6.0 with excellent results. But I have also seen some precipitation of the salts at this level....so I don't recommend doing it. Speaking of which, avoid removal of the precipitating salts. They may be boric acid, which is very important to achieving a smooth plate.

I have also found that some brands of distilled water will raise the pH of the nickel tank. It's hard to believe, but some distilled water can have pH levels in the 8+ range!

Caswell sells a nice pH meter for this purpose.

Ken