Flash Copper

[fullthrottle24]

Still Having Problems With My Flash Copper!! Heres My Steps, Wet Sand The Alum Part Down To 600 Grit, As Told By Member, Clean, Pickle #3, Wash, Then Zincate, Pickle#3 Again, Wash Then Zincate, Straight To Wash With Hot Water, Then Flash Copper, Starting Amps Out At 1 Amp, Then Turn Amps Down, And Plate For 30 Min, After Taking Out Of Flash Copper, The Piece Looked Great, Then Bright Copper For About 20 Min, Then I Took Out And Wet Sanded The First Layer Off, Like The Book Says, But When I Sanded Off The First Layer, Bubbles/ Blister Appeared, So I Start Over Again,, I Have Been Working On This Flash Copper Every Night For About 2 Weeks, And Seems Like Iam At A Dead End, On The Very First Process? What Iam I Doing Wrong? How Important Is The Temp, In The Baths? Could That Be My Problem?

[moto-chrome]

I sympathize. Well it looks like you got the first part right but Idon't understand why you tried to sand off the first layer. I would suggest using 0000 steel wool after the first acid copper. Clean and acid copper again 15 min. then rub down again with steel wool. After the third coat you can start to use 400 grit sandpaper. I keep the plating down to 15 minutes to avoid the porosity which is inherent to acid copper. Personally I then transcend to 600 grit and 1200. At this stage the copper will buff like a charm. I prefer to spend more time sanding then buffing.