12
THE PALLOYS GUIDE TO ELECTROPLATING
THE PALLOYS GUIDE TO
ELECTROPLATING
3
Wieland Rhodinette Complete Unit
Palloys Code: 52/ZZRDCPT
Electroplating is usually done for a few reasons:
• Toenhancethecolourofthepiece• Toprotecttheunderlyingmetalfromdiscolourationorcorrosion• Toproduceadifferentormoreuniformcolourtothepiece
When it comes to electroplating there are a few basic rules that need to be followed to ensure a satisfactory end result.
Failure to observe these rules by introducing shortcuts will only result in very small initial time savings with plenty of
time to do it all again properly!
It is important to follow the instructions that come with the Electroplating Salts or Solutions. Where salts or solutions
require the addition of water it is critical that Distilled Water be used as it is pure and therefore does not contain any
possible contaminants that could give rise to potential plating defects.
The Rectifier should be of the required output and the containers for the plating solutions and wash containers should
be made of an iner t material such as glass or plastic such that they are able to withstand heat if required.
Anodes should be of the required standard and cleaned occasionally.
INTRODUCTION
4 THE PALLOYS GUIDE TO ELECTROPLATING
• The item should be well polished as the electroplating will tend to reflect the lustre of the piece prior to plating.
• The item then needs to be thoroughly degreased, best achieved in an ultrasonic cleaner.
• The item should then be electrolytically cleaned to produce a chemically clean surface. On removal from the
electrocleaning solution, the item should be thoroughly rinsed in tap water and inspected. If the film of water on
the item is unbroken then it can be finally rinsed in distilled water and proceed to the next step. If the film of
water was broken then the electro cleaning step should be redone. Thorough cleaning is essential prior to plating
otherwise the plated deposit will have poo r adhesion and will in extreme cases peel off.
• The item may now be introduced into the plating solution and plated. Not following the instructions may result
in the colour of the deposit being poor or wrong.
• At the conclusion of plating, the item needs to be removed and thoroughly rinsed and dried.
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO ELECTROPLATING
Seebelowforaflow-chartoftheElectoplatingSteps&Setuptogetyourplatingworkshopgoing.
5
Palloys is the exclusive Australian stocklist of Wieland Electroplating Chemicals & Equipment suitable for the Jeweller &
Hobbyist. These products are widely recognised in industry circles as the world’s premium plating products.
Equipment
• Wieland Rhodinette Pen Plating Unit
WHERE DO I BUY MY PLATING EQUIPMENT & CHEMICALS?
Rhodinette Pen Accessories
• Wilaplat Rhodinette Pen
• Wilaplat Fibre Electrodes for the above Pen
• Wilaplat Stopping off Pen
• Wilaplat Rhodinette White Rhodium Electrolyte
• Wilaplat Rhodinette Black Rhodium Electrolyte
• Wilaplat Rhodinette Fine Gold Electrolyte
• Wilaplat Rhodinette Red Gold Electrolyte
• Wilaplat Rhodinette Yellow Gold Electrolyte
• Wilaplat Rhodinette Pink Gold Electrolyte
• Wilaplat Rhodinette Silver Electrolyte
• Wilaplat Rhodinette Novapal Electrolyte
Conventional Tank Plating Products
• Wilaplat Blancadur Ti White Rhodium
• Wilaplat Blancadur Black Rhodium
• Wilaplat GP 1000 Rich Gold Gilding Salts
• Wilaplat GP 1055 Yellow Gilding Salts
• Wilaplat GP 2010 Pale Yellow Gilding Salts
• Wilaplat GP 2015 Reddish Yellow Gilding Salts
• Wilaplat GP 6005 Pinkish Gilding Salts
• Wilaplat GP 7500 Reddish Gilding Salts
Tank Accessories
• Wilaplat Puro S Ultra Clean Salts for Ultrasonic
• Wilaplat ZFM Electrolytic Cleaning Salts
• Wilaplat Nickel anodes
• Wilaplat Stainless Steel anodes
• Wilaplat Copper Anodes
• Wilaplat Platinised Titanium Anodes
• Wilaplat Masking Pen
• Wilaplat Hard Gold 750 SC Electrolyte
• Wilaplat Hard Gold 750 SI Electrolyte
• Wilaplat AC3 Hard Gold Electrolyte
• Wilaplat Aurosteel Activating Solution
• Wilaplat Bright Silver Electrolyte
• Wilaplat Black Ruthenium Electrolyte
Australia Wide1300 886 108
palloys.com.au
6 THE PALLOYS GUIDE TO ELECTROPLATING
52/AGBPIL
52/A6208
52/AU750SI
52/AUBFIL
52/AUBPIL
3090300202
3170300202
3080100702
3080100602
3170100102
Wilaplat bright Silver Plating Bath
Arcuplat Silver Conducting Powder
Wilaplat Gold Plating Bath (750SI)
Wilaplat Gold Plating Bath (750SC)
Aurosteel Hard Gold Base Plate
30g
10g
1L
4g/L
1L
Bottle
Bottle
Bottle
Bottle
Bottle
52/AGPLIL
52/AUAKIL
52/AUBGIL
52/AUHGIL
3170300102
3170400102
3170100202
3170300202
Arcuplat Silver Plating
Aurosteel Activating Solution
Aurosteel Bright Gold Plating
Wilaplat AC3 Hardgold Plating
30g
1L
1L
1L
Bottle
Bottle
Bottle
Bottle
Wieland CodePalloys Code Name Size/VolImage Unit
PRODUCT LIST
7
52/GP1000
52/GP2010
52/GP6005
52/RDBL100
3100101903
3100102103
3100102303
3010200202
Wilaplat Gliding Salt (1000) Fine Gold
Wilaplat Gliding Salt (2010) Pale Gold
Wilaplat Gilding Salt (6005) Light Pink
Rhodinette Black Rhodium Bath 100ml
1g/L
1g/1L
2g/100ml
Packet
Packet
Bottle
Packet
52/GP1055
52/GP2015
52/GP7500
52/RDFG100
3100102003
3100102203
3100102403
3010100102
Wilaplat Gliding Salt (1055) Yellow
Wilaplat Gliding Salt (2015) Yellow/Pink
Wilaplat Gilding Salt (7500) Rose Red
Rhodinette Fine Gold Electrolyte 100ml
1g/1L
2g/100ml
Packet
Bottle
Packet
Packet
1g/L
1g/L
1g/L
1g/L
PRODUCT LIST
Wieland CodePalloys Code Name Size/VolImage Unit
8 THE PALLOYS GUIDE TO ELECTROPLATING
52/RDPG100
52/RDWH100
52/RDYG100
3010100302
3010200102
3010100202
Rhodinette Pale Gold Bath 100ml
Rhodinette White Rhodium100ml 2g
Rhodinette Yellow Gold Bath 100ml
2g/100ml
2g/100ml
Bottle
Bottle
Unit
52/RDRG100
52/REC5AMP
52/RHBL200
3010100402
75-06-0100
3110200201
Rhodinette Red Gold Bath 100ml
Wilaplat Rectifier
Wilaplat Black Rhodium with 2g Rh 2g Bottle
Bottle
Bottle
2g/100ml
2g/100ml
52/RDFS100 3010300102 Rhodinette Fine Silver Bath 100ml 3g/100ml Bottle
52/RDNV100 3010200402 Rhodinette Nova Sol 100ml 2g/100ml Bottle
PRODUCT LIST
Wieland CodePalloys Code Name Size/VolImage Unit
9
52/SZFM10L
52/ULPURIK
52/ZZANCUL
3040400103
3020400103
79-60-0012
Wilplat ZFM Cleaning Salts 1kg
Wilaplat Puro S Ultrasonic Cleaning Salts 1Kg
Cu Anode 100mm x 50mm
1kg
100 x 50mm
Unit
Unit
Unit
52/SZFMIL
52/ULPUR2L
52/ZZANNIL
3040400103
3020400103
70-60-0011
Wilaplat ZFM Cleaning Salts 1L
Wilaplat Puro S Ultrasonic Cleaning for 2L
Nickel Anode 100mm x 50mm 100 x 50mm Unit
Packet
Unit
1L
1kg
2L
52/RHWH200 3110200101 Wilaplat Blancadur Ti White Rhodium 2g 2g Bottle
52/RUBLIL 3110200602 Wilaplat Black Ruthenium 5g/L 5g/1L Bottle
PRODUCT LIST
Wieland CodePalloys Code Name Size/VolImage Unit
10 THE PALLOYS GUIDE TO ELECTROPLATING
52/ZZHEATR
52/ZZRDCLP
52/ZZRDDSH
52/ZZRDFSM
70-34-0002
70-70-0004
72-34-0014
70-79-0005
Wilaplat Quartz Immersion Heater
Cable with Workplace Clip
Electrolyte Container with Lid
Fibre Electrodes (Pkt 3) 3
Unit
Unit
Unit
Packet
52/ZZPLSTP
52/ZZRDCPT
52/ZZRDFLG
52/ZZANPTS
52/ZZANPTL
52/ZZRDPEN
52/ZZANSSL
52/ZZRDPLT
70-83-0014
75-05-0010
70-79-0010
External DIETSC
External DIETSC
70-70-0001
External DIETSC
70-70-0005
Stopping Off Pen
Rhodinette Complete Unit
Fibre Electrodes (Pkt 5)
Anode Plat/Titanium 30mm x 90mm long
Anode Plat/Titanium 60mm x 90mm long
Rhodinette Plating Pen
Stainless Steel Anode 110mm x 60mm
Contact Plate
5
30 x 90mm
60 x 90mm
110 x 60mm
Packet
Unit
Unit
Unit
Unit
Unit
Packet
Unit
PRODUCT LIST
Wieland CodePalloys Code Name Size/VolImage Unit
11
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Question. The plated deposit wipes off?
Answer. The item was not thoroughly clean before plating
Question. The colour of my red gold is yellow?
Answer. The electrolyte was at the wrong temperature
Question. The rhodium plate is dark?
Answer. The voltage is too high or the solution has been contaminated.
Question. The plated deposit is rough or furry?
Answer. The voltage is too high (rate of deposition too high)
Question. Nothing happens?
Answer. No power, not switched on or requires fuse.
Question. Item only plated on one side?
Answer. Movement is essential in most electroplating procedures.
Question. Can I replate rhodium?
Answer. No you must first repolish.
Question. Should I keep my electroplating solutions covered when not in use?
Answer. Good housekeeping is essential – yes keep them covered.
Question. What precautions should I take with electroplating solutions?
Answer. It is vital that you follow all procedures and safety instructions.
Question. What should I do with spent plating solutions?
Answer. Talk with your Refiner about disposal.
Question. Can I electroplate stainless steel?
Answer. Yes providing you activate the surface.
www.palloysgroup.com
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1300 886 108
palloys.com.au
HeadOffice:
74-84 Foveaux Street, Surry Hill, NSW 2010
T: +61 2 9212 1222
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T: +61 3 9654 9200
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