How do I remove poloshing compund for plating?

[ringblingbelts]

How do I get all the polishing/buffing compound removed from the plates? I cannot seem to get them clean for the life of me. I am plating very detailed etched pieces and their are some small craps and crevises that I can not get to.

Any help would be most greatful, THANK YOU!!!!


Peck!

[crob241]

Hopefully you are following instructions in the book and using something like sp cleaner at the correct temp.Sometimes I will use a small brush while in the tank, then a dip in pickle 4 and if that dont do it I use acetone or some other solvent then start over with sp, pickle etc. That should do it. thnx

[ringblingbelts]

Originally Posted by crob241

Hopefully you are following instructions in the book and using something like sp cleaner at the correct temp.Sometimes I will use a small brush while in the tank, then a dip in pickle 4 and if that dont do it I use acetone or some other solvent then start over with sp, pickle etc. That should do it. thnx

The plating compound seems to laugh at pickle 4, degreaser, AND acetone. just to see, I left a piece of zinc in the pickle for 12 hours. The part actually started to be etched by the pickle, YET the polishing compound still remained in the cracks and crevices.

Am I just missing something? The 3 different platers I have used in the last 6 years simply stated they submerged the plates in a tank of whatever cleaner they used for about 2 minutes and then they started the plating prep.

[FigureLLC]

the best thing i've tried so far is goo-gone and a soft-bristle brush. then acetone to remove the goo-gone film. i too am in search of a better solution.

[CarWiz]

It depends on the type of compounds you're using and whether your buffs are contaminated with silicone. If you have a lot of compound left on the item, your using too much or the job is not complete.

I use lacquer thinner to wipe down the part. That removes most of it. On really dirty parts, I follow up with acetone. From there the part goes to the hot soap tank for a soak and scrub. On a few aluminum castings I've used the spray-on gasket remover then pressure washed. A paint brushing with acetone followed by the hot soap works for me.

If you have any silicone contamination, use a hot ammonia soap scrub after the lacquer thinner. Then boil your buffs in it and rinse well. After that, toss all your soap and rinse tank liquids, scrub your tanks and start new.

[ringblingbelts]

Here is what I am refering too. This piece has been in pickle, activator, goof off, acetone, denatured alcohold and in a hot soap bath and as you can see where the circles are, their is still compound residue.

I am using the white Caswell compound for the fine sheen on zinc, which is what the piece is. It is .153 inches thick and has been etched .1o deep with some very fine lines. I cannot seem to get the plate cleaned for plating!

[ringblingbelts]

LOL, I figured it out. I am a dummass.

Just for everyones info, if you make up two batches of degreaser and no batches of Pickle, rather than 1 of each, your not gonna get parts cleaned and your not going to get good plating. lol