Burnt Finish?

[specsofgold]

I am plating from chromed metals. First, I strip the chrome, then rinse, dry, then activate the nickel, rinse, dry, and then apply gold solution.

However, I am getting a "burnt" look during either the stripping or nickel activator stages.

What is this? How do I prevent it? How can I repair the metal that is "burnt" looking now?

[mcaswell]

Sounds like you have the current too high on the strip.
As for activating nickel, I've never found it neccessary.

What setup are you using?

I'd suggest you buff the part to remove the smut before you gold plate it.
That will make the gold shinier too!

[fly]

Take the piece after you strip it from chrome and lightly polish it with flannel cotton wheel with white compound and then try gold plating it...