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Hello,
I'd be interested in any cleaning methods that you have used to get the best plating results. This is a most challenging area. I've heard a variety of ideas that work for different people from brake cleaner to Dawn dishwashing soap.
One trick I have learned is the use of ultrasonics. This is difficult because larger parts will not fit in an average sized (2-3 gallon) cleaner. There is a very good ammonia based degreaser sold for clock movement cleaning by L&R, Ronell and others. It is a concentrate. One cup makes a gallon of solution. Either as a soak cleaner or in the ultrasonic tank, it just lifts buffing grease right off!
If you want to make the equivalent yourself, these solutions are basically a soapy mixture of 2 ounces oleic acid, 4 oz acetone, and 8 oz highly concentrated ammonia, with 1 gallon of water. Denatured alcohol works almost as well as acetone.
Unfortunately this does not prep the article for plating, at least not completely. You can plate directly from this step, but the results may be erratic. I've found that some plater's professional grade cleaners using lye (NaOH) as a final soak clean will yield professional results every time. However, these are not generally available and can be extremely hazardous if they come in contact with the skin or eyes. Perhaps you've discovered some other tricks?
Have you had good luck with SP Degreaser? What process do you use?
Kind regards,
Ken
I'd be interested in any cleaning methods that you have used to get the best plating results. This is a most challenging area. I've heard a variety of ideas that work for different people from brake cleaner to Dawn dishwashing soap.
One trick I have learned is the use of ultrasonics. This is difficult because larger parts will not fit in an average sized (2-3 gallon) cleaner. There is a very good ammonia based degreaser sold for clock movement cleaning by L&R, Ronell and others. It is a concentrate. One cup makes a gallon of solution. Either as a soak cleaner or in the ultrasonic tank, it just lifts buffing grease right off!
If you want to make the equivalent yourself, these solutions are basically a soapy mixture of 2 ounces oleic acid, 4 oz acetone, and 8 oz highly concentrated ammonia, with 1 gallon of water. Denatured alcohol works almost as well as acetone.
Unfortunately this does not prep the article for plating, at least not completely. You can plate directly from this step, but the results may be erratic. I've found that some plater's professional grade cleaners using lye (NaOH) as a final soak clean will yield professional results every time. However, these are not generally available and can be extremely hazardous if they come in contact with the skin or eyes. Perhaps you've discovered some other tricks?
Have you had good luck with SP Degreaser? What process do you use?
Kind regards,
Ken
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