A question about Nickel activator

[redwoodbs]

I'm all very new to electroplating and am just getting started doing some brush plating. Now I have forgot to order some activator and was wondering if there is some way I could get the same chemical locally. I thought that if perhaps I knew the actual chemical that these plating co's are selling as activator then I may be able to source the dried compound and make up as and when required. Does anyone know .. exactly what chemical compound is used for activator?

[lcaswell]

We don't sell "Nickel Activator." It's a total rip off. It's automotive battery acid (sulfuric).

Add 2 parts acid to 1 part water
Let cool
Add another 1 part acid

Always add acid to water to avoid painful acid splashes.

[redwoodbs]

Many thanks, that's brilliant news.

Now excuse my ignorance here, I have been doing lots of reading about activators and am I right to think there are both acid activators and alkaline activators? if so, when and why would you use each different activator? if there is a alkaline activator, does that too have a common usage elsewhere?