No Plating

[cnstiner]

I just tried to nickel plate a piece of copper pipe.I am plating about 14 sq. inches,have 4 250 MA. bulbs in my reostat,solution temp. 110 degrees,and two nickel annodes 1 1/2 in. wide by 6 in. long on each side of tank. I plated it for 20 minutes and it came out a gray color.I buffed it and just copper there,no plating.Any idea's? Thank You!

[mcaswell]

You don't mention the surface prep you used, or what kind of nickel plating system you have. It doesn't sound like one of ours, based on the size of the nickel anodes. If it is one of ours, please post a problem report in our PRS system.

[cnstiner]

I have the tripple chrome kit.I cut the anodes down to that size.Mistake?The surface prep was buffing and laquer thinner wash.

[mcaswell]

No, not necessarily a mistake. Please post a problem report in our support section if you haven't already.

[48Buick]

One thing to check is to make sure you have the POS on the anodes and the NEG on the part. If that is right they I would suggest to try this procedure.
Dont use laquer thinner. It still leaves a film on the part.
Degrease(remove buffing compound) with hot water and dish soap.
Rinse.well under hot water then cold
Clean in the SP cleaner or a alkaline cleaner.
Rinse well under hot then cold water.
Make sure the water sticks to the surface of the part and doesnt bead up and roll off like water on a good wax job.
If it does bead up....scrub the snot out of it again!
Then plate....
Hope this helps
48 Buick