Pitstop epoxy not taking flash copper plate

[gschlachter]

I can't get the conductive epoxy to take the flash copper plate on pot metal.
I sandblasted the pot metal, filled pits with Pitstop, sanded with 600 wet sand, degreased in SP. Everything plates perfectly except the epoxy. Usual 1 amp/16 in2.

Maybe I need to flash copper first, then fill the pits, so the epoxy conducts with the pot metal better.

[tbreaden]

I have used this product and most of the time flash copper will not plate to it. I have had sucess plating it with acid copper. I belive plating it with the flash copper does not give enough amps. to plate it correctly. Todd

[KCV6]

Bit of advice based on the second part of your question. Yes, sand blast so there are no dark spots and lay on the flash copper. Then pit stop it and then Acid copper as tbreadon suggested. This should work.

Cheers

Mark

[gschlachter]

Got some tech support from Caswell on this. They recommended making a wand to direct the current to the Pitstop. This helps to direct the current to the epoxy. It helped somewhat but I think I will go to soldering pits instead since it works better. I don't have acid copper and don't really want to invest in it just to get Pitstop to work.

[KCV6]

Am tempted to try this on my various pot metal repairs.

Sand blast
pit stop all minor pits
zinc plate with a reasonable amount of current.
0.5% nitric brighten/activate and then flash copper and build.

Perhaps Caswell staff could clarify one thing with the pit stop. the various descritions on the web site state "imediately plate". Is there an issue with degreasing the pit stop?

cheers

Mark

[tbreaden]

I have used pit stop with some sucess. Try while plating turn up amps to about triple it should be for 30 seconds. Do this when the part first goes in and do it several times . Look at part see if helps , Now I sandblast, Blow off clean air. Flash copper, Then use a copper conductive paint to fill pits( it may take several coats sanding in between) The paint I use you must acid copper. I plate thick. Then light sand (400 grit) Buff light with white compound. Todd