Gold Plating "magnetic" SS -Not working

[gnathanson]

I have a small item <2sq in. It appears to be highly polished SS but has a slight attraction to a magnet.

The Caswell SSAG seems to work then the gold just peels off. I have had limited success by pickling in muriatic then doing an elctroless Ni, then Gold tank plating.

Still the gold seems to eventually peel off. I have plated a similar piece which is aluminum successfully using the zincate/Ni flash method.

Piece IS passing waterbreak. both E Ni, and Cu stick ok.

Thanks,
George

[Caswellplating_Jason]

Re: Gold Plating &quot;magnetic&quot; SS -Not working

Flash copper the part first.

[gnathanson]

Re: Gold Plating &quot;magnetic&quot; SS -Not working

You mean flash Cu, then Ni flash, then gold.... Sorta like triple chrome only Gold. If thats what you mean??

[Caswellplating_Jason]

Re: Gold Plating &quot;magnetic&quot; SS -Not working

That's exactly what I mean.

[gnathanson]

Re: Gold Plating &quot;magnetic&quot; SS -Not working

Thanks I try that... Not to beat a dead horse... But my local plating shop (seemed to know what they were talking about) said to try a really aggressive etch... Unfortunately they did not elaborate further.

Any ideas what that might be?? I am assuming he was referring to pre-Ni maybe 50% sulfuric? I'm not sure that is a compatible acid for electroless Ni tho.

thanks

[Caswellplating_Jason]

Re: Gold Plating &quot;magnetic&quot; SS -Not working

You can try a pickle #1.......20 parts distilled water/1 part muriatic. If this does not work, I still recommend the flash copper. You will be able to polish your copper to a mirror finish, which will make the end results great.