plating tank setup confusion

[fxstcguy98]

I have just purchased a 4.5 gal triple chrome kit from Caswell and I am eager to get started. I was supplied with 6 tanks, one for chrome, one for nickel, one for copper, one for flash copper and one I will use for SP degreaser (I have an 800W ceramic heater for this one).
That leaves me with one tank I think I will use for pickle#4 & deplating. I know I have to buy another tank for the zincate solution. My question is how many more tanks do I need? I count one rinse tank for each plating solution (3), 2 more for rinse after SP degreaser, and 2 for rinse after pickle#4. That's 7 more tanks and I haven't even counted tanks for pickle#1 and pickle#3 and rinse for zincate. How many fricken tanks do I need? Not to mention that they describe 3 different mixtures for the pickle#4 solution.
I plan on plating motorcycle parts made of steel, copper, aluminum and possible pot metal (down the road) all with triple chrome plate. I also understand that there is a sperate solution for prep on stainless steel.
I'm soo confused. Please give me some guidance.

[48Buick]

Hi:
You can get around having to use any rinse containers if you will get a couple of squirt bottles and fill them with some R.O. water from the water store. That way as you rinse the part off over the tank you just pulled it out of you are putting all the solution right back into the tank.
Do you have heaters for the nickel also?
If not you need heaters for the nickel and chrome.
I degrease my parts in hot dish soap/water. rinse, then alkaline clean, rinse, and plate.
To deplate I use muratic acid for the chrome and thats about all I take off prior to copper plating.
DONT put your potmetal or aluminum in the muratic acid.
I do have two pickel tanks. One with sulfuric/water and one with muratic/water.
Hope this helps
48Buick

[fxstcguy98]

Thanks 48 Buick
I was hoping you would be the one to reply to this, you seem to know your stuff and streamline things alot. I had planned on using squirt bottles, but I wasn't sure if that was enough, I thought you had to use rinse tanks as well as the bottles to prevent drag in. I am unemployed right now and I can't afford to ruin my solutions before I even get started.
I do have heaters for Nickel and Chrome and Coppers (both).
One question what do you use the 2 pickles for, and what are the mix ratios to water.
Thanks a heap for you input, I appreciate it.
Do you have pics of your Buick? I have a 68 GTO but I like the old sleds too.

[48Buick]

Hi:
I actually used squirt bottles for about 2 years until my fingers got tired! Then I made up a 5 gallon water bottle that has a electric pump on it. Put a hose with a adjustable garden sprayer on it and WHALA! no more tired fingers. But, for small parts squirt bottles work fine. I started moving into bumper parts and grille parts so they are a bit bigger.
I use the two pickles for activating the copper/brass (hydrocloric/muratic acid) and to activate nickel/steel (sulfuric/water)
Both of mine are roughly 15% acid to water. Remember to add the acid to the water.....dont add the water to the acid. It will splash and ........you know.
One note.....make sure if your getting pool acid (muratic) which is the same as hydrocloric acid that it actually says hydrocloric acid on the container. I stopped by Albertsons to get some pool acid and it was actually sulfuric acid! Wonder what people think when they put that in thier pool
Ive got a lot of pics of my old cars Buick, pontiac, dodge..........I dont know how to post them here but if you want to mail me at [email protected] I can send them to you.
Your lucky you have the 68 Goat. The muscle cars are up and coming and my old buicks are dying out.....


Thanks 48 Buick
I was hoping you would be the one to reply to this, you seem to know your stuff and streamline things alot. I had planned on using squirt bottles, but I wasn't sure if that was enough, I thought you had to use rinse tanks as well as the bottles to prevent drag in. I am unemployed right now and I can't afford to ruin my solutions before I even get started.
I do have heaters for Nickel and Chrome and Coppers (both).
One question what do you use the 2 pickles for, and what are the mix ratios to water.
Thanks a heap for you input, I appreciate it.
Do you have pics of your Buick? I have a 68 GTO but I like the old sleds too.

[fxstcguy98]

I like the garden sprayer idea. Thanks again for all your help. Hang on to that old Buick, they make a comeback someday. I don't care if it's popular or not, I love my old car for my reasons, I'll live in it berfore I ever sell it.

[elton10]

a little off topic..old cars

I am a newbie wit a 69 Skylark convert 70 Olds Cutlass SA with a factory 3spd hurst floor shift and a '57 Roadmaster 75(Buick).. the last one is likely to see my soon to come efforts at chrome plating.
Does any one know if any of these kits can interchange plating/anodizing on very small parts.. can you anodize with a plug and plate?