breaking through when sanding copper.

[nil8u]

What do I do if I break through the copper to the steel when sanding a peice. Can I just plate back over it with the flash then acid copper again or will the pickle seep into the steel? Iv'e tried sanding then plating over a peice that i've broken through on and have had hait and miss results. is there a good way to ensure that the new copper plate will stick over the prior one? Thanks, Lance

[nil8u]

is this a dumb question...? I know that the pickle will activate the copper but I have had a few peices bubble when sanding back down before polishing. I am wondering if the pickle is getting underneath the copper through the holes where I have broken through. Any advice? How long are people leaving the peices in each copper tank? My copper tanks are @ 135 degrees and I am plating with flash for 30 mins and acid for an hour....

[moto-chrome]

First thing is Are you sure the part isn't stainless ?
Secondly I think you have a cleaning problem and maybe haven't mastered the waterbreak test. Here's what I suggest. Got to the food mart and buy a ceramic stovetop cleaner (I use Ceramabryte). Use this to clean the part after sanding or buffing. Nothing gets you a faster water break test then this type of cleaner. It contains citric acid (that's right lemon) and guess what it activates your copper and iron based metals. You can forget the pickle it is no longer needed and you'll never get bubbles again (aluminum is an exception).

[nil8u]

Any ideas about time in the bath? I am usig a 5gal kit and I read something about the rate of deposition being less wih the less stuff there is in the bath. Do the proir times look about right?