Copper plated ripples

[carts69]

Hi all... First propper job acid copper plating and ended up with ripples on the surface, these were more evident when i sanded the item down. These do sand out but would like advice on how to stop these appearing in the plating.

Currently plating in round tank and blowing air into the copper via a 1/2" hose, could this be related to the air blowing across the anode or another problem. Should bubbler be under the item being plated or is it ok bubbling across one of the anode's, i also found one side was worse then the other but other side was slightly rippled.

The pictures shows the ripples even after heavy buffing still evident, any advice please?

[KCV6]

How long were the items in for? Acid copper (copper forming) grows nodes and ripples as it plates, which get worse the longer the item is left in. This is unfortunately just a side effect of Acid copper which do need to be sanded/polished out prior to the next plating step. Moving the bubbler around may reduce this. I normally bubble from the bottom centre of my tanks for all my plating tanks.

Cheers

Mark

[carts69]

Hi Mark..... Cheers for the reply. i had the part in for 30 minutes each time x2,
took out wet sanded the ripples out and back in for 30 minutes and the ripples were back on the item.
Today im going to move the bubble tube and see if this helps, should i be plating for 30 minutes at a time or less?

[KCV6]

30 mins should not cause nodes or ripples, these usually appear after hours of plating. Definately try re-positioning the bubble tube as I suspect that is what is causing the problem.

Cheers

Mak

[carts69]

Hi mark... I move the bubbler and a small improvment was found,although i do seem to have an issue with the air bubbler.
What i have is a UK 12volt blower with a length of 1/2" diam hose connected.
This is just pushed down the side of the tank and when switched on im getting a good bubble,where its pointing too i dont know,it seem to bubble from the centre of the tank (under work piece) but not sure if this is the best method to use.
I have heard that a ceramic fish tank air stone / bubbler is ideal, no doubt these create less & smaller bubbles but does this sound a better idea to you?
it seems to me at the moment its not doing the job it should "hence" the pictures?

Also with reference to the bubbling trouble i have nickel plated the same item i copper plated (see picture) and i have rough areas mainly on the bottom of piece and a little on top. There is some good bright plating but 45% is rough,does this seem the problem with air, at one stage the bubbler cut out for a shot time could this be the cause?
I know its a lot of questions but any help/advice would be great mark!
Part was nickel plated @ 7.5amps/ heated 100f / plated for 45 minutes.