electroless nickel plating failure

[unpob]

Hi,

Bought the mini kit to find out that the solution was low for the piston head I intended to submerge.

Waited until received the additional needed 3 ounces and started to heat it up until it boiled.

Inserted the piston head kept level by brass wires from a wooden stick over the edges of the bucket.

Came back one hour later and saw some of the solution had evaporated but not much. The piece however was dark gray and full of rust. This is a cast iron head and some of the original nickel plating was left without being etched because the battery acid was not available in town nor at the local NAPA store.

No plating occured.

Any suggestions?

Thanks for your time,

Henri