Black Chromate Solution

[MadChemist]

I suppose I will keep it a little more simple this time:

Is it normal for the Black Chromate Solution to have particles that settle to the bottom of the solution after Part A, Part B and water have been mixed together?

[MrPontiac]

Mad chemist, I bought a blackening solution from eastwoods, sure i got some particles in the bottom, i simply ran mine threw a paper coffee filter into a clean container, then i cleaned out the grud on the bottom then simply ran it back into original container, hay so far it works for me!!

[Livinincolor]

Originally Posted by MrPontiac

Mad chemist, I bought a blackening solution from eastwoods, sure i got some particles in the bottom, i simply ran mine threw a paper coffee filter into a clean container, then i cleaned out the grud on the bottom then simply ran it back into original container, hay so far it works for me!!

Man and I have the perfect coffee filters to do that too!!!
Thanks for the tip Pontiac!

[R.B.]

On the same topic of black chromate, I just rec'd mine, and on the bottle it says to "mix 8oz of part A and B with 112 oz of distilled water" does that mean mix 8 ounces of part A and 8 ounces of part B? Or 4 and 4 to equal 8? Just don't want to screw it up.

Also, what are people using to "dry in hot 150F air". A hair drier, a ?

thanks!

[MadChemist]

It is good to see some responses guys.

The coffee filters are definitely a good idea but my worry is that the sediment or crystals are actually supposed to be there as there is a large amount of them. I have not got a response from Tech Service yet.

Are far as mixing, I mixed 112 ounce of de-ionized water with both bottles of the A and B (16 ounce total). I assume that is the correct way.

Fortunately, I have access to chemical ovens as my day job is working in the chemical industry. Another option for drying at 150F for those doing it at home would be to purchase a heat gun from Harbor Freight for about $20. That should do the job instead of a hair dryer.

[XK120DHC]

In reply to "what to use" to force dry chromated parts, there are two options, depending on the size of the parts.. If large, I'd use my plain old "kitchen oven" that is in my shop and dedicated to powdercoating (NEVER to be used for human food prep again!! *see caveat below)..
If you are chromating a load of nuts and washers, like I am, you will find a "Blow Dryer" to be a PITA as the "area of correct temp" is so narrow that you, literally, dry one piece at a time.. and slowly at that.. Plus, no matter where you aim the blow dryer it will blow the small parts off the tray (if that's what you are using) and they usually end up under the heaviest bench in the shop! ;-}
A viable option for force drying small parts is a food dehydrator.. There are tons of these things at swap meets, garage sales, etc., very often dirt cheap. The "downside" to a "Circular" dehydrator is Heat Control.. most are "unregulated".. the bottom "tray" will always be hotter than the center and top trays, plus the items on each tray actually block the upward "flow" of the heat and requires frequent "tray shuffling" to maintain equal heating/drying of the parts. (on the round dehydrators one must "unstack" the entire thing to do this, resulting a "cooling cycle" during drying.. I don't know if this would result in any problems with the chromate cure, but I avoid it!)
I opted to go a bit more "upscale" (read: Expensive and probably WAY overkill!) and bought an "Excalibur" nine tray dehydrator.. these units have a thermostat to regulate the temp (up to 155 degrees), a fan that directs the heat "across" all the horizontal trays instead of "up from the bottom" like circular units.. This configuration eliminates the "need" to do the tray shuffle as one can add or remove trays without disturbing any of the other trays.
Some of these Excalibur units have a 24 hour timer on them.. this will make the price of the unit higher and is, in my opinion, of no benefit for use in drying chromated parts as the "minimum" the timer can be set is for one hour.. no "minute" provision at all.
Also, I just take for granted that any "kitchen appliance" involved with "shop chemicals", be it powdercoating or electroplating, should be considered permanently toxic for human food preparation.. no questions asked. If you ever decide to sell, trade or give away these items, the "deal" should include some sort of "CYA" paper the "buyer" must sign that he knows what he is getting and that he, also, will "protect the public", and himself, by never selling, trading, etc. these "tools" for any human food preparation.. I'm no lawyer (but I saw one played on TV once) but I figure some a$$hole, down the road, will cook a grilled cheese sandwich in the oven, or dry some banana chips in the dehydrator, get cancer and sue every previous owner of the "tool".. Like I said.. Cover Your A$$.. No One else will!