Electroplating / electroforming copper

[lewp]

Have set up 1.5 gallon acid copper plating kit in my basement. Have tried plating both a plain piece of copper sheet and a wax object painted with several coats water-based conductive copper paint, on copper wire. Each is approx. 12 sq. inches. Using the smallest rectifier you guys sell. For conductive painted piece, 1 amp and 4 volts; for sheet, can't get amps above .25. Volts at .1 I think for that one. Tank at 110, all connections good, no aeration though.

No plating whatsoever. A kind of powdery dark brown coating, tho. Any ideas? Is my bath contaminated already? Thx.

[ashcroft01]

Hello,
See this post about Acid Copper Problems.
Acid copper plating problem! Attention Fibergeek
I think that the second part of your question relates to a start up problem due to high conductivity.
Try the 1 ohm resistor, it worked for me.
Also, the temp may be too high for the new copper solution. I believe now that it plates at room temp.
I doubt that your bath is contaminated just from those two items.
These things do take a lot of trial and error.
Best of luck,
Curtis

[lewp]

Hey, thank you. I will try to address the issue of the current. And maybe give a try without the heater.
Lauren