Electroplating - Easy DIY Nickel, Copper, Zinc Plating

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  • Опубликовано: 20 сен 2024
  • The recipe for basic electroplating.
    1. Vinegar. 2. A dash of salt. 3. A piece of whatever metal you plan to use.
    I recommend starting with Nickel.
    I don’t know what other metals will work or not. Experiment like a mad scientist and find out. Just be careful around chemicals.
    I don’t think there is anything particularly nasty about the nickel, copper, or zinc solutions. But I’m not a chemist so use your own judgment. I wear gloves and don’t go out of my way to breath the fumes. There will be a small amount of chlorine gas produced by the salt. Just don’t be a dork and you’ll live through it.
    A couple of notes…
    Don’t try and plate over zinc plated parts with anything other than zinc. The zinc will destroy the nickel/copper solutions. I mean, don’t let me stop you experimenting, but that’s probably what will happen.
    Be careful around stainless steel. It contains chromium. I don’t know what happens when you try this with stainless, but best not to mess with anything that might contain chromium.
    For that matter, real chrome plating at home is out of the question unless you have a death wish. Hexavalent
    Chromium, which is what’s used for electroplating, is really nasty stuff. A cobalt/nickel mix is a close enough visual match for chrome plating.
    When you’re ready to step up to a kit, for New Zealand and Australia, I recommend Jane Kits. For the rest of the world, google Caswell Plating.
    / geoffreycroker
    / geoffreycroker
    flickgeoffanemail@gmail.com

Комментарии • 2,8 тыс.

  • @TungstenCarbideTempe
    @TungstenCarbideTempe 3 года назад +402

    This video is:
    1) Simple, easy to understand
    2) goes straight to the point without intro, B.S. ads and other crap
    3) is saturated with an amazing, needed information
    4) no annoying background music
    5) clear, clean sound
    6) should be a tutorial for RUclipsrs who ended up in hell for making crapy videos and now have to go trough soul cleanse( yes its like bowel cleansing, but with added turbo, blue-flame colored fire and no handles on sides of toilet seat for one to hold on to).
    Me?
    Im gonna wrap myself in blanket and continue my couched, judgmental video observations, with my expert knowledge of everything.

    • @rezopolis
      @rezopolis 2 года назад +11

      You sir, are doing a service for humanity and we humans are thankful for that

    • @nickjm007
      @nickjm007 2 года назад +2

      Exactly.

    • @amandajones6481
      @amandajones6481 Год назад +6

      Yeah, but without the silly girly girl voice! That's the only part I didn't like! The rest was interesting but the voice put me off. Love from Amanda in Melbourne, Australia ❤️ 😉

    • @Freedbird
      @Freedbird Год назад +9

      I like the siil voice. When I read troll comments, I will read them in that voice from now on !

    • @mattburns7380
      @mattburns7380 Год назад +2

      @@Freedbird BRILLIANT!!!!👍🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

  • @The_Goood_Sort_Of_Slob
    @The_Goood_Sort_Of_Slob 3 месяца назад +44

    That "but where do i get the nickel from?" Was beautiful.

  • @R3troZone
    @R3troZone 10 месяцев назад +80

    I used to work in an electroplating facility in Syracuse, NY called Anoplate. This setup is pretty primitive but the basics are there and yeah, that's how it works. I used to work on the nickle line and the black chrome line. Ever notice how some metal parts are black but super shiny? That's black chrome. Anoplate had a contract with GM to do the plating on their car parts and I was the only person allowed to do the black chrome on them.
    So if you've ever seen a Corvette made between 2003-2006, that hood ornament was made by me.

    • @twill9278
      @twill9278 6 месяцев назад +1

      Would this method work for brass?

    • @R3troZone
      @R3troZone 6 месяцев назад +4

      @@twill9278 You could electroplate a brass finish on something but as brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, you would probably have to put a layer of pure copper on first and then plate the brass on top of the copper for better adhesion.

    • @twill9278
      @twill9278 6 месяцев назад +1

      @@R3troZone
      Thanks. I'll give that a try.
      I have pure copper decorative coins

    • @s9k328
      @s9k328 6 месяцев назад +3

      what electrolyte/electrodes do you use for black chromium?

    • @R3troZone
      @R3troZone 6 месяцев назад +4

      @@s9k328 I don't remember the details. It was almost 20 years ago at this point.

  • @shrug53
    @shrug53 Год назад +74

    This is really one of the best plating primers on RUclips. Simple and direct. No nonsense, so you can actually sit and take notes. You could be a teacher!

    • @Critter0817
      @Critter0817 Год назад +2

      Pretty sure every chemistry teacher I ever had did the high pitch voice thing too

    • @tThisNThat
      @tThisNThat 4 месяца назад

      He is :)

  • @amanofmanyparts9120
    @amanofmanyparts9120 4 года назад +16

    In the 1970's I worked for an electroplating firm (since bankrupted by fines from unsafe disposal of chemical waste). We used to 'jiggle' the items being plated to make the bubbles break free of their surfaces. In some case it was a vibration and others it was moving the whole rack of items side to side. We also plated nut and bolts in huge nylon drums that rotated to keep them moving and contacting at different points. We did the lot: Nickel, copper, zinc, silver and even gold. If it could be electroplated, we electroplated with it!
    One friend of the owner brought in a pair of P100 headlamps off his pre-war Rolls to be gold plated to make them shine with a yellow cast to the beams.
    Meanwhile I'm assuming that citric acid might be as good as vinegar (acetic acid) as you can make it to the concentration you require by dissolving more or fewer crystals in the water. I usually have half to a kilo or so on hand for home brewing purposes. It's also good for cleaning copper utensils and ornaments.

    • @bigbomb5904
      @bigbomb5904 2 года назад +1

      Can I use a 12v car battery for power supply

    • @techroma1984
      @techroma1984 Год назад +2

      @@bigbomb5904 For zinc it will be too much amperage and form grains. You might get away with moving the anode and cathode (positive piece and negative piece) further away

  • @jakebaldwin1308
    @jakebaldwin1308 4 года назад +601

    "Its green... like green Gatorade"
    My first thought: "Its got electrolytes"

    • @godfreypoon5148
      @godfreypoon5148 4 года назад +49

      _It's got what electrochemical surface treatment plants CRAVE_

    • @godfreypoon5148
      @godfreypoon5148 4 года назад +19

      @David Galyon Yeah, well, I've never seen no electroplated parts come out of no toilet.

    • @davidharris5736
      @davidharris5736 4 года назад +12

      Welcome to idiocracy er I mean the free UK

    • @cj64crosser
      @cj64crosser 4 года назад +2

      @@davidharris5736 Australia 😴 get it right...

    • @afincher88
      @afincher88 4 года назад +11

      Its got what plants crave

  • @chromedog68
    @chromedog68 Год назад +18

    Very informative.
    My dad was a chromium electroplater (his trade). Sure, he also did Nickel, zinc and bronze plating, but his job was mostly around the chromium.
    Poly- and hexa-valent chromium are some scary things that you really shouldn't screw around with unless you know what you are doing. They WILL give you cancer (and when it comes to lung-cancer risk scale from the fumes, "Smoking 2-packs a day" doesn't even rate on that scale.)

  • @Digitalman271
    @Digitalman271 2 года назад +11

    Amazing tutorial. Straight to the point. Those bell-dings are louder than a babies scream and I thought my ears were going to bleed. Extremely grateful for your help, and I keep revisiting this tutorial to see if I missed anything.

  • @LittleDangerMouse
    @LittleDangerMouse 6 месяцев назад +4

    I've got about a thousand pieces of old mismatched door hardware in my house and this will make my life a million times easier, and save me a ton of money. Thanks so much for making such a clear and concise video!

    • @postiemania
      @postiemania 6 месяцев назад +1

      I can confirm this method works. It is not hard to do, just follow simple instructions. I use a variable voltage power supply around 8 volts for Nickel worked well.

  • @Ajmanistan
    @Ajmanistan Год назад +35

    The lower the amp, the more the detail.

    • @josemateovargasreina5541
      @josemateovargasreina5541 Месяц назад +1

      Cool, but why?

    • @jonesmatthew7511
      @jonesmatthew7511 Месяц назад

      @@josemateovargasreina5541 I'm not 100% sure but it would slow the reaction down and the "speed" at which the positively charged metal ions are slamming into the the negatively charged cathode, which may help evenly coat the surface with less dendrite formation (less mountains and valleys microscopically) If you look at the physics 1) Amps are a measure of electrical current flow and 2) electric flow tends to take the path of least resistance 3) build up of available positively charged metal ions. At a higher AMP the flow would be more direct to the path of least resistance, meaning the point on the cathode/part closest to the anode/(closing the circuit) Now when you decrease the "flow" it will slowly act more dispersed and more evenly coat the piece due to the speed of the positively charged metal ion being pushed from the anode to the cathode. kind of like how you use a can of spray paint 18 inches away for best results instead of 1 inch away (higher flow and amp rate) This is also why it is important to flip your product to more evenly coat.

    • @YouTubeAreCommunistScum
      @YouTubeAreCommunistScum Месяц назад

      Gaaaaayyyy

  • @lenburton868
    @lenburton868 5 лет назад +216

    Back when I worked as a photolab technician we would drop copper pennies I to exhausted film fixr .
    after a few minutes it would start to grow little silver whiskers , they werent pure silver as the copper contaminated the silver.
    A simplified explaination of this is your film has light sensitive silver salts that are needed for exposure and are removed during processing being dissolved in the fixer (typically sodium thiosulfate) a typical recycling strategy was to flow the solution through a steel wool filter then send it to kodak.
    At one of the labs I worked at they did not recover the silver from the one hour film processors so I put a ball of oooo steel wool into the waste tank, the silver dissolved in the fixer would exchange for the iron in steel wool and after a while you would have silver wool.
    Doing this for 4 years I ended up with 8 pounds of silver after refining. Every girl I went out with for years got a handmade silver ring also I made a crossguard for a longsword I made.
    Fun times

    • @2degucitas
      @2degucitas 5 лет назад +28

      That was a long time ago. You are an original medieval time lord.

    • @uwusmolbean
      @uwusmolbean 5 лет назад +7

      Cool knowledge tho !!

    • @endurofan9854
      @endurofan9854 5 лет назад

      Len Burton
      wow
      really?

    • @davidfusco3960
      @davidfusco3960 4 года назад +7

      A friend who worked as a photo lab technician told us an interesting story about the day they demolished the old darkroom, and tore out the copper sink drain...

    • @boxsterman77
      @boxsterman77 4 года назад +2

      Immediately after you said "fixer" I recalled that nasty smell it would put on my hands (yes I often used bare hands). Yes, I'm that old

  • @Arouth249
    @Arouth249 5 лет назад +588

    I’m watching this for a third time just so I can hear you say “but where do I get the nickel from?”

    • @paulsawczyc5019
      @paulsawczyc5019 4 года назад +10

      @@AEON. Probably illegal - don't tell your patriotic friends.

    • @paulsawczyc5019
      @paulsawczyc5019 4 года назад +5

      @@AEON. I will only bend down for quarters - small change gets swept up and thrown away, it actually feels good to throw them out.

    • @CreatorCade
      @CreatorCade 4 года назад +4

      Easy from a roll of nickels.

    • @jimmymac601
      @jimmymac601 4 года назад +4

      I watched it again so I could hear him say "a bit smutty."

    • @davexvs
      @davexvs 4 года назад +2

      An anode is a sacrificial block of either zinc or aluminum alloy available at boat yards

  • @1movista
    @1movista 5 лет назад +19

    I didn't have a Greek yogurt container, but I did have a Greek seasoning container, so I gave this a go.
    For nickel: I used a nickel welding rod - they are used to weld cast iron. Tap the flux off with a hammer, cut the rod in half, put it in a drill and drill it while holding a handful of sandpaper in the other hand. Then hang them on the jar and hook it up, like in this vid. 2 hours later, your liquid is green and one of the rods will be dissolved.
    I practiced with coins, knives, live bullets (they look AMAZING!) and a few other bits laying around. I finally gained confidence to do what I started this whole project...the barrel of my new Beretta 92fs.
    Beyond Beautiful!!!!!
    Thank you, my friend. Others should give this a try, as it is pretty uneffuppable. My total investment was $13 - that's $10 for 5 rods and $3 for vinegar.
    Oh...the Greek seasoning container worked!

    • @1978garfield
      @1978garfield 4 года назад +1

      A nickel plated Beretta would look sweet.
      Go on do the slide and frame.
      Don't forget to post pics :)

    • @1movista
      @1movista 4 года назад

      @@1978garfield I have heavy nickel grips on it now. Beautiful. I'm debating the slide - it has never been fired and I'm afraid I wreck it.

    • @GeoffreyCroker
      @GeoffreyCroker  4 года назад +3

      Ahh 👍. I just saw this comment. The other guy replying bumped it into my notifications for some reason. Awesome to hear it went well for you 👍

  • @jaredj631
    @jaredj631 3 года назад +40

    Thank you I had no idea this was so easy. I’m actually regretting some builds in the past now knowing I could have so easily nickel or copper plated them

    • @teekotrain6845
      @teekotrain6845 Год назад +4

      We're all thinking about how we could have done past projects better but that's the evolution of an artist

    • @randytravis3998
      @randytravis3998 Год назад +2

      just wish I had a jar big enough to put auto parts in .. my truck in copper would be cool .. this was a good video

    • @button-puncher
      @button-puncher Год назад +10

      @@randytravis3998 Inflatable pool and an old stick welder are pretty cheap. It's the 500 gallons of vinegar that you'll need that'll be expensive. :D

    • @nox5555
      @nox5555 10 месяцев назад +3

      @@button-puncher just mix it yourself. its just acetic acid with water. you need around 5% and you can get 3 gallons of 60% acetic acid for around 30€

    • @tThisNThat
      @tThisNThat 4 месяца назад

      @@randytravis3998 get one of the pens and the fluff that goes over top of it, then paint it on. It works with the fancy kits so it should work DIY

  • @RadioFixer
    @RadioFixer 3 года назад +41

    This is the best detailed video on RUclips. Thank you so much for taking your valuable time to make this. Very detailed and simple to understand the process. Great job!!

  • @earthelder2065
    @earthelder2065 5 лет назад +20

    Great video! a lot of antique cars people thought had chrome but was actually "nickel" that was highly polished. The magic is in the preparation and polishing. Thanks for the great video!

  • @murfspop
    @murfspop 4 года назад +84

    To check the thickness on any plated part ,tape the test piece on 2 sides .When the tape is removed you can determine the plating thickness.

    • @johnhines374
      @johnhines374 Год назад +9

      @@henniebouwmans7879 yes, it will work great with gold, but just remember that most gold is only .58% pure when it’s 14K or 78% pure at 18K. So, if you are wanting to do a 24K gold plate, you will want to use pure 24K .9999 Gold, or refine your own gold. Also with gold, you can either use Gold Anodes, or Stainless Steel Anodes when electroplating, which will save you a bit on pure Gold Anodes.

    • @henniebouwmans7879
      @henniebouwmans7879 Год назад +2

      @@johnhines374 thanks john

    • @tThisNThat
      @tThisNThat 4 месяца назад

      OMG TY

  • @donnacrozier3327
    @donnacrozier3327 4 года назад +27

    Best beginner guide on this I’ve see, thanks for doing this. You saved me from buying an overly expensive plating kit. I’m off to get some jars, yogurt 😉, vinegar and salt.

    • @jamiewright1594
      @jamiewright1594 3 года назад +1

      How did you get on Donna? Did it work for you?

    • @tThisNThat
      @tThisNThat 4 месяца назад

      @@jamiewright1594 yea, did it work for you? Because I am going to do it.

  • @iandaly8786
    @iandaly8786 5 дней назад

    Geoffrey Crocker I took your advice and have successfully Nickel Plated some screws for my 1928 Ford Model A Sport Coupe car. Thanks a lot for your most excellent and straight forward video which is easy to use.

  • @zedbucket7882
    @zedbucket7882 3 года назад +2

    As soon as I heard the instruction.."make the Nickel into two pieces of Nickel" I knew I was going to learn good.... and I did. Trying this tonight! Awesome

  • @4speed3pedals
    @4speed3pedals 5 лет назад +43

    Copper does plate to bare steel. You need a copper sulfate solution and a piece of copper for an anode. Copper sulfate is available as root killer and comes in crystal form. The plating procedure is identical. Parts that are triple chrome plated are copper, nickel, chrome. The copper is applied first to help fill in any pits in the surface.

    • @AverageJoe2020
      @AverageJoe2020 5 лет назад +1

      @Isaac Allgood Absolutely no idea, give it a try?

    • @no5x937
      @no5x937 5 лет назад

      If you watch the video again, you'll see him demonstrate a seed nickel plated layer on steel followed by copper plating. Works every time.

    • @crazyaustrianinventor6092
      @crazyaustrianinventor6092 5 лет назад

      @Isaac Allgood I tried it with copper and the blue stuff didn't really mix with the salt water . Just like small blue flakes. It also didn't plate.

    • @nightster6378
      @nightster6378 5 лет назад +2

      Hi Paul the copper isn't to fill pits though this might be a by product of it. The copper is to prevent corrosion as chrome is porous, nickel less porous and the copper prevents water etc reach the steel. As you probably know many companies don't triple plate and the playing won't last anywhere near as long.

    • @KalebQi
      @KalebQi 5 лет назад

      What about aluminum?

  • @Gottenhimfella
    @Gottenhimfella 5 лет назад +53

    Workshop hint: If you have a taper threaded fitting or plug for a hydraulic port which is slightly undersize (or more likely, you tapped the hole a whisker too deep) you can recover the situation by plating a heavy layer of copper onto the fitting. It is soft enough to conform to the mating thread on tightening, and provide a leakproof connection.

    • @eve_squared
      @eve_squared 2 года назад +6

      honestly it's a really good idea to plate a leaky valve in copper as it will provide a better seal than teflon tape.

    • @Gottenhimfella
      @Gottenhimfella 2 года назад +3

      @@eve_squared Indeed. I forgot to mention that it doesn't matter that the copper (if a heavy deposit is formed) will be composed of thousands of tiny peaks and valleys, like a cat's tongue. It all squishes down as the taper-thread joint is tightened due to the remarkable ductility of pure copper.

    • @eve_squared
      @eve_squared 2 года назад +3

      @@Gottenhimfella honestly it's a great trick to know especially if you have a shop air system since compressing air can get expensive with leaks. It reminds me of that video of the researchers getting vacuums measured by atoms per cubic meter by sealing it with copper gaskets.

  • @jzino3835
    @jzino3835 5 лет назад +85

    I do this all day long at my job and I've been looking for a way to show my kids what daddy does at work....this is amazing, I will doing it to show them this weekend. Awesome "for dummies" style video, I had no idea it was this easy to do at home, I'm gonna be showing them on this long holiday weekend we have. Great video, Sir, you got my sub for sure!!

    • @creative8569
      @creative8569 4 года назад

      Hey J, I’m getting ready to try gold, black rhodium and silver plating for my job. We have a lot of old bracelets, rings etc... that all have small pave set stones. Any tips for a beginner, I’m kinda going in this blindly aside from a few yt tutorials. But nobody shows plating with a lot of small stones. Any experience in that field? I appreciate any help. Thank you! -Jay

    • @creative8569
      @creative8569 4 года назад

      The plating is all over solid Brass, if that helps any. We Just have a lot of old, worn out tarnished jewelry showing the brass underneath.

    • @aspectratio6580
      @aspectratio6580 2 года назад +1

      I plate cylinders for the printing press. Pleased to meet you fellow chromers. I too will be using this video to show my kids 😁

    • @bodeine454
      @bodeine454 2 года назад

      @@aspectratio6580 So what is a good plating thickness for something that will see some outdoor weather and how do you measure the thickness? With a micrometer or set of digital calipers or ?

    • @brennaperez8452
      @brennaperez8452 2 года назад

      @@creative8569 Hi! I just found your comment while trying to figure out if I could use this method for silver plating over brass. Did you have any success?

  • @malcolmwatson6127
    @malcolmwatson6127 2 года назад +9

    Great video. Removes the fear of trying it out. Good clear explanation. Well done!

  • @MGB_2024
    @MGB_2024 2 года назад +9

    Ordered the stuff to give this a go! I have some 3D prints that I want to plate and I don't want to spend too much, so this was an incredibly encouraging and straightforward video!

    • @SUPERMAR10312
      @SUPERMAR10312 Год назад +12

      The prints will need to be conductive. I've seen a video where they sprayed on a conductive paint and plated that. Look up "Electroplating 3D Prints | Thermal Detonator"

    • @solomonheninger1212
      @solomonheninger1212 Год назад

      what way did you go with the power supply? i've had an issue finding something like what he uses in the video

  • @TheDeanza7
    @TheDeanza7 4 года назад +18

    I lové thé little voice asking the questions. Its anticipating incredibly well the questions inexperienced users are having in mind while watching the process unfold. You literally keep thinking 'uh thanks for asking dude' like the dunce in a classroom 😂 Very well explained and well done ! Thx

  • @Johanniscool
    @Johanniscool 6 лет назад +780

    It only works if you use a natural Greek yoghurt container. DO NOT use flavoured yoghurt containers.

    • @thermmaloverload
      @thermmaloverload 6 лет назад +47

      I was super keen to give it a go.... then I realised, we only eat Vanilla yoghurt. And it's Organic, which would probably cause some sort of explosion!

    • @MrJimmyjammmy
      @MrJimmyjammmy 6 лет назад +29

      Does it have to be authentic Greek yoghurt? Or can you use Greek style yoghurt?

    • @johnbonaros589
      @johnbonaros589 5 лет назад +14

      @@MrJimmyjammmy It has to be original and from '' FAGE ''

    • @rossie273
      @rossie273 5 лет назад +8

      OMG - I used a VANILLA flavoured Yogurt container . The reason I know is , I ate some of the plastic - it was definitely VANILLARish .LOL

    • @sto_karfi842
      @sto_karfi842 5 лет назад +6

      😂😂😂😂😂

  • @waynewoolsey6422
    @waynewoolsey6422 4 года назад +87

    how did you know my voice sounds like that when asking questions?

  • @philhines
    @philhines 3 года назад +12

    Thank you for explaining this in such a clear way! Tried to do this when I was younger, but a tutorial like this would have meant I didn’t miss any details needed to make it work properly!

  • @arunindus5187
    @arunindus5187 2 года назад +2

    Certainly it is one detailed video on RUclips. appreciating for taking your valuable time to make this. Very detailed and simple to understand the process.I will use this video for my offers, Thank you Sir.

  • @ges7991
    @ges7991 2 года назад +13

    This is still my favorite video to come to prep whenever I plate. Super clear, and easy to follow.

  • @blairwightman
    @blairwightman 6 лет назад +16

    Thanks for the clear tutorial! Thought I would share something I found out that may help others avoid my mistake. I ended up getting small square blocks of nickel to use as an anode. I suspended them in the electrolyte with copper wire, I thought (wrongly) if the part thats getting plated can be hung with copper wire so can the anode... DO NOT DO THIS. It makes sense now but as the nickel was dissolving so was the copper wire suspending it. I ended up with a nickel/copper solution which turns parts a nasty blotchy dark grey colour. I started again making sure it was only zinc submerged in the solution and I am getting great results.

    • @GeoffreyCroker
      @GeoffreyCroker  6 лет назад +4

      Haha, yeah. This is why I reckon people should start with vinegar instead of fancy brews. Awesome to hear you're getting good plating results 👍👍👍

    • @bodeine454
      @bodeine454 5 лет назад +2

      What kind of wire should you hang them from? Just regular steel wire?

    • @blairwightman
      @blairwightman 5 лет назад +4

      Jeff Stone from what I can tell on the anode side it should only be the metal you want to plate that should be submerged. If you also submerge wire of a different metal on the anode side you’ll get a mixture of both metals in the solution. It doesn’t matter on the other side that’s holding the item you’re plating.

    • @bodeine454
      @bodeine454 5 лет назад +1

      @@blairwightman I see, yeah, that one flew past me at first. Looks like the best way suspend the nickel or whatever is used to do the plating is to allow some of it to be suspended out of the solution to hook up to, kinda like this gentleman does using strips that can be bent over the top of the jar or vessel that's being used.

    • @bodeine454
      @bodeine454 5 лет назад +1

      @Michael Walter Good to know, thank you!

  • @ZeedijkMike
    @ZeedijkMike 4 года назад +6

    Sometimes simplicity is the best - and this looks so simple that I'm going to have a go at it.
    Thanks for sharing.

  • @sitgesvillaapartmentneilsc7924
    @sitgesvillaapartmentneilsc7924 4 года назад +4

    Great video and I plan to repair some old tools that were passed down to me but are just rusty, sets of calipers and inside out calipers double ended calipers and a nice depth gauge all for wood turning which i do, was looking to buy new until i looked up this, very clear explanation, I didnt want to angle grind them for fear of damaging the thin metal they are made of. I used to do old iron fireplaces in the uk with the angle grinders, hours and hours to get years of paint off, then Zeebrite them back to beautiful black.
    I have watched the excellent rust removal video you made and will use electro current method to do that as its not heavy rust and then come back and nickel plate them all , they deserve a second chance as they are all old RNZAF tools from my brother in law who doesnt use them any more and being a wood turner Im excited at the thought of not paying much to get them looking great.
    Just ordered the Nickel Anode already, 7 euros for that, the other materials I can get in Spain easily enough in the drug stores here, not a nanny state here like the UK where you can not buy any acids etc. A gallon of hydrochloric acid here is 4 euros, nothing!
    So Im looking forward to seeing the results , may even copper plate my depth gauge after nickel plating it. I have never really had an interest in chemistry apart from sorting out my pool and this has sparked a little interest now thanks very much for the clear explanations and simple guidance on how to bring life back into old tools etc.
    The rust tool liquid that makes it go black and hard we have used here a lot in spain when refurbishing atticos in peoples houses, the ceilings have lots of curves between beams and they are plastered, remove the plaster to expose beautiful brickwork but the beams are rusty, we used a similar product here to stop and blacken the rust and it makes the beams look excellent once you treat the brick with a type of sealer to stop any dust.
    thanks again. Neil, Barcelona Spain ( Mrs is a Kiwi)

  • @frankmartinez1045
    @frankmartinez1045 2 месяца назад +1

    Thank you, now I'm retired I'm dabbling in all the stuff I didn't do as a kid, really enjoyed your video.

  • @mymechanics
    @mymechanics 6 лет назад +137

    very good video Geoffrey!! i'm going to give this a try. i need to nickel some parts made out of brass i guess, but i'm not 100% sure, could be copper aswell. if it's copper i can nickel directly right? if it's brass i need to copper it first before nickel?

    • @GeoffreyCroker
      @GeoffreyCroker  6 лет назад +17

      I think Nickel can go over either no problem.

    • @brenohighland1168
      @brenohighland1168 5 лет назад +9

      i just covered a copper pipe with nickel

    • @williamderosa8947
      @williamderosa8947 2 года назад +1

      Can you replace copper ? I have copper knobs on stove , the plating is wearing off .

    • @Asian_Connection
      @Asian_Connection 2 года назад

      @@GeoffreyCroker What am I doing something WRONG? I zinc plated my bolts and than deposited into a Nickel plating bath. But after the nickel plating it looks like the zinc coating somehow got removed. Can someone tell me what I'm doing wrong? Thank you

    • @dekutree64
      @dekutree64 2 года назад

      @@Asian_Connection Check the video description, "Don’t try and plate over zinc plated parts with anything other than zinc. The zinc will destroy the nickel/copper solutions. I mean, don’t let me stop you experimenting, but that’s probably what will happen."

  • @jigz6234
    @jigz6234 5 лет назад +12

    If you weigh the metal your going to plate before and after the plating you'll find out how much its been plated. Also if the copper isn't pure not to worry as the impurities most likely will not be transferred to the target material. Electrolysis is actually how they purify copper, as impurities will not travel through the solution (or at least nowhere near the rate that copper will).

  • @paulwyleciol3459
    @paulwyleciol3459 5 лет назад +29

    04:15 very funny, when you show the sign again ;-) I love that kinda humor!

  • @Kimdino1
    @Kimdino1 3 года назад +2

    Could this be done using an alloy? Would the two metals transfer equally into the electrolyte and would they then be deposited equally on the cathode workpiece?. Perhaps making up the electrolyte using one metal followed by the other? I am thinking in regard to brass plating using copper and zinc.

  • @DSmith-ix1xf
    @DSmith-ix1xf 3 года назад +32

    I absolutely love the tinny voice asking questions! When a lesson is fun, a lesson sticks!

  • @papachi4178
    @papachi4178 4 года назад +9

    I'm glad I watched this. I was initially going to do brush plating and buying everything I needed to do that, but you showed me how to make metal salts instead of buying them premade (at incredibly inflated prices, based on the process I just watched.) Going to try this with some conductive coated 3d printed parts. :)

  • @thebikerepairshopformby
    @thebikerepairshopformby 5 лет назад +13

    Really great video, thought the very clear “baby steps” instructions were spot on, thanks for posting 👍

  • @ronjones4069
    @ronjones4069 4 года назад +6

    I have copper plated onto metals inwant to solder onto and itvworks extremely well. For example, i have copper plated the ends of some resistive wire (nichrome) and was able to solder the nichrome wire onto a circuit board. Works perfectly. I used exactly the same technique to plate the nichrome.

  • @goodheaps
    @goodheaps 3 года назад +4

    I love how this is waffle free straight up point to point no hidden adgender very refreshing, well done😃

  • @sizzlinbacon21able
    @sizzlinbacon21able 2 года назад +5

    What a great video, thank you for the clear and concise introduction to electroplating. The commentary was humorous and informative. I'm looking forward to doing this with some antique car parts for the engine bay. It will look nicer than painting them silver!

  • @GrandpaCanCook
    @GrandpaCanCook 2 года назад +5

    One of the most informative videos on RUclips. Plus it was well presented. thank you.

  • @laserfloyd
    @laserfloyd 4 года назад +16

    I thumbs upped as soon as I heard "But where do get nickel from??" 😂 Thanks for the walkthrough. Science project for my kid... incoming!!

  • @hopelessnerd6677
    @hopelessnerd6677 3 года назад +5

    "Make the Nickel into two pieces of Nickel..." That's sorcery!

  • @josiahtheblacksmith467
    @josiahtheblacksmith467 Месяц назад +1

    I work in electro plating on a zinc plating line. We use zinc dissolved in lye as our plating bath. For a brightener we use sodium silicate in the bath and a post plating quick dip in a dilute nitric acid bath.

  • @DrususDarkSoul
    @DrususDarkSoul 16 дней назад

    Thank you so much, I recently get interested in electroplating but I though that I need it to buy an expensive machine and chemicals and do advanced technical things but you show me that is so much easy than that, now that I undestand the process I'll do it myself.

  • @DiesInEveryFilm
    @DiesInEveryFilm 5 лет назад +121

    You are brilliant thats all i have to say.

  • @doh285
    @doh285 5 лет назад +5

    The best tutorial I've ever watched

  • @hezkittypaws8265
    @hezkittypaws8265 5 лет назад +5

    This video saved me from buying a $400 electroplating rectifier. 🙏🏻

    • @l5-cs.
      @l5-cs. 4 года назад +1

      You could build an electroplating rectifier lol

  • @ItchiusScrotus
    @ItchiusScrotus 4 года назад +2

    Followed the instructions perfectly and can confirm good results. Recommend sandblasting and mirror polishing steel workpieces before plating

  • @RickRuggiero
    @RickRuggiero 2 года назад +1

    I just stumbled on to your video today and it is by far the most informative and the least annoying instructions (commentary) I have watched. I love your work mate, would you have another video on chrome plating?

  • @allanmaureenmacintyre4474
    @allanmaureenmacintyre4474 3 года назад +7

    I've watched this a few times now just for the entertainment value.

  • @GeoffreyCroker
    @GeoffreyCroker  6 лет назад +211

    1. Chrome? No. Chromium will kill you. You can replicate chrome at home with a Cobalt-Nickel mix.
    2. Yes copper can be plated directly onto steel - I am aware. But this vinegar mix and most of the other DIY copper plating kits work better if you flash the part with nickel first. Commercial platers use entirely different and much harsher chemicals and copper plating directly to steel is normal for them.
    3. The next person who tells me that I'm responsible for telling everyone how to dispose of waste properly can punch themselves in the face. RING YOU LOCAL COUNCIL/WASTE DISPOSAL PEOPLE AND ASK THEM. There's probably a hundred businesses in your local town that have to regularly dispose of chemicals/oils/poisons/paint. Hint - they're not asking a guy on youtube if they should mix it with soap and mermaid scales and then sprinkle it on the neighbours broccoli...

    • @WaltonPete
      @WaltonPete 6 лет назад +26

      Most so-called chrome plated things are actually bright nickel plated anyway. If you get original parts replated that's typically what they'll use too.

    • @MarcelTeugels
      @MarcelTeugels 6 лет назад +3

      Alright, thanks 👌

    • @supercheekykiwi
      @supercheekykiwi 6 лет назад +23

      Do a cobalt nickel video! I'm very keen to see the chrome effect. I'll send you something small to plate :)

    • @reverie76
      @reverie76 6 лет назад +4

      Chromium is a supplement too

    • @Gaark
      @Gaark 6 лет назад +58

      *squeaky voice * but where do I get cobalt? lol

  • @bleeper87
    @bleeper87 4 года назад +3

    Thanks for sharing. I worked in a plating shop for 10 years back in the 90’s. Cool stuff man!

    • @PaulReta
      @PaulReta 9 месяцев назад

      Hi @bleeper87
      Sorry for bothering you with a question. When it comes to plating, have you used a different type of acid? I've heard that for copper plating, sulfuric acid is needed instead of acetic acid. What about nickel, brass, and plating with other metals? Thank you in advance

  • @boofuls
    @boofuls 9 месяцев назад

    Great video . the guy with the squeaky voice was the ⭐ of the show ,he asked some intelligent and important questions

  • @harrygatto
    @harrygatto 2 года назад +1

    Highly informative and well-presented though I would question the wisdom of using a container with a metal ring around the top, high risk of shorting the wires.

  • @jaredlanny03
    @jaredlanny03 4 года назад +8

    Thank you! probably the most helpful video on the subject I've found, and the one which finally got me over the edge to order anodes... I'm willing to try just about any DIY project... but electricity scares me.

    • @KayAteChef
      @KayAteChef 4 года назад +1

      A 5V phone charger is adequate.

  • @chrispritchard4676
    @chrispritchard4676 3 года назад +3

    Loved this! We all forget about this process from our science lessons, and it s great to get a refresher. Thank you Geoffrey.

  • @grottonisred6541
    @grottonisred6541 4 года назад +4

    This is brilliant....concise, understandable ..great work.

  • @bloopsneknoz2073
    @bloopsneknoz2073 Год назад

    The voiceover for a RUclips viewer is what got me to like this video.

  • @SgtToTheSnickers
    @SgtToTheSnickers 3 года назад

    I am a trained electroplating technician and i have to say for not using pure metalsalts and making them all by yourself you've done it pretty accurate
    except for the copper coating

  • @halxiii7538
    @halxiii7538 5 лет назад +85

    im laughing so hard at his voice when asking questions.

    • @davidtooley420
      @davidtooley420 4 года назад +1

      It's martizas voice that pewds does hahaha *pasta noises*

    • @sahilamerkar516
      @sahilamerkar516 4 года назад +1

      @@davidtooley420 Pewdipie after seeing this video: "I electroplated 69 tamborines with Thulium(atomic number 69)"

    • @davidtooley420
      @davidtooley420 4 года назад

      @@sahilamerkar516 that's no simp, big pp

  • @punkbloater
    @punkbloater 6 лет назад +396

    I like how we sound when we ask you questions... 😝

    • @GeoffreyCroker
      @GeoffreyCroker  6 лет назад +101

      That's the voice I hear when I read through the comments 😁

    • @cranki6316
      @cranki6316 6 лет назад +4

      Geoffrey Croker Good, because it seemed to not be in a New Zealand accent and my New Zealand accent is terrible.

    • @Tasteslikepetrol
      @Tasteslikepetrol 6 лет назад

      PMSL each time

    • @brenohighland1168
      @brenohighland1168 5 лет назад

      @joseph watson nz

    • @ChemicallyEnabledMan
      @ChemicallyEnabledMan 5 лет назад +5

      Really?!!! I think it's irritating as f#*k.
      Good vid, pity about the "Tony" voice (from The Shining (1980)).
      At least that's what it reminded me of (..."Redrum! Redrum! Redrum!").

  • @losonsrenoster
    @losonsrenoster 4 года назад +8

    If I remember my high school chemistry correctly the gas being released in the bubbles is hydrogen? If you capture it with a dome over the container you can power your car with it, it might even take you millimetres far...

    • @thomaspaffett7418
      @thomaspaffett7418 3 года назад

      was literally thinking ooh what would happen with a lit splint in there :D I miss my chemistry classes.

  • @gary.solexa
    @gary.solexa 4 месяца назад

    Fabulous clear video tutorial. I followed your instructions to the letter with nickel on brass, then on copper, and it worked like a charm. Cheers!

  • @klieglite
    @klieglite 3 года назад

    No wonder this is viewed in the millions-bloody fantastic!! thanks so much.......

  • @twicebittenthasme5545
    @twicebittenthasme5545 4 года назад +8

    "Only risking ruining some vinegar", but what about my wife's laptop charger that I cut the end off?
    Great video. Thanks for sharing!

    • @somebodyelse6673
      @somebodyelse6673 3 года назад

      That's probably more than 1 amp, did you have any problems?

    • @Nitecrow314
      @Nitecrow314 3 года назад +1

      @@somebodyelse6673 Yeah. She cut his end off.

  • @darrendavenport3334
    @darrendavenport3334 5 лет назад +7

    Thanks for pointing out the bubbles at the 2:04 mark.... i wasnt quite sure what they were....

  • @chrysfil9810
    @chrysfil9810 5 лет назад +5

    Simple, effective and in good humour. Thank you for the video 👍👍

  • @someotherdude
    @someotherdude 4 года назад +1

    How can you say there's no barrier to trying this out - when you openly showed WHITE vinegar being used??
    Seriously though, of the half dozen plating videos I've seen, this one is probably the best one. Great work.

  • @ChristianLappinOFFICIAL
    @ChristianLappinOFFICIAL Год назад

    Fantastic, and the "tiny voice" asking questions was EPIC

  • @kslinthesand
    @kslinthesand 6 лет назад +22

    Thanks, great video. I'll use a higher pitch when I ask questions in the future. :)

  • @cdici511111
    @cdici511111 5 лет назад +34

    I am dying to try this, but my local grocery stores do not carry Yoplait Natural Greek Yogurt so I cannot get a container. I will have to find somewhere online to order some before I can try my hand at plating metals.

    • @rossie273
      @rossie273 5 лет назад +22

      Since this video was released , there has been a shortage of these containers . In desperation , people have turned to using other brands of yoghurt but with CATASTROPIC results e.g. the sinking of the Titanic and the election of Donald Trump .

    • @d.t.4523
      @d.t.4523 5 лет назад +6

      The only substitute is a one gallon ice cream tub. Which also gives you more working room. :)

    • @nicolashrv
      @nicolashrv 5 лет назад +8

      I used an old toilette seat cover, works as well........you just have to smash the top cover with a hammer over your oven, so the plastic melts and gets concave........the ring cover is usefull later as a frisbee to play with your dog or neighbour.

    • @norman7179
      @norman7179 5 лет назад

      @@d.t.4523
      PVC buckets should work well.

    • @andrew_koala2974
      @andrew_koala2974 5 лет назад

      Carl D
      Some are trying to Diet, and some are Dying to try it.

  • @robertpartsmade5832
    @robertpartsmade5832 6 лет назад +4

    PARTSMADE here from the 🇬🇧 , another excellent tutorial mr C but got to take you to task on copper plating, in my restoration work copper first if surface poor then polish and on with the nickel plate , I’m luck as my stuff is never newer than the late 1920’s when chrome plate arrived , your plating current a bit high as bubbles on the surface of the parts will prevent proper adhesion and will show on highly polished parts I guess a few nickel bit going to appear on mr Land Rover 🤔😂
    Cheers

    • @GeoffreyCroker
      @GeoffreyCroker  6 лет назад +4

      Ah, yeah for sure. Do you use an acid copper bath to go straight over steel? I figured saying use nickel first was easier than going into all the details about different copper options. I actually only flashed the part very lightly with nickel, but again I left that detail out of the video to keeps thing simple for the people who are starting from scratch. I figured people will learn all the details if they just start.

    • @robertpartsmade5832
      @robertpartsmade5832 6 лет назад +3

      Hi , yep acid solution for copper , sorry not picking fault , as you say striking a balance of tech detail and not putting people off is a fine line .
      Regards
      Robert
      PARTSMADE

  • @hugofolpp1753
    @hugofolpp1753 2 года назад

    I love the funny voice you use when you're mimicing people asking questions

  • @DarkPhoenix984
    @DarkPhoenix984 3 года назад +2

    When you are preparing your steel plate for electroplating, instead of using a grinder to get rid of the rust, you can place the steel into a citric acid solution and the rust vanishes after 30mins (light rust) to a day (heavy rust).

  • @alexescuermudza4680
    @alexescuermudza4680 5 лет назад +8

    Best video ever! The acid yogurt container is a must have!

  • @bigdog-dy1uw
    @bigdog-dy1uw 6 лет назад +9

    Yet again an awesome upload....... I always press like before I watch, never regretted it yet......
    Thankyou :)

  • @shannonleighkelly
    @shannonleighkelly 4 года назад +5

    I love how some stuff was just thrown on the table, lol!!! 😂😂😂😂

  • @shortliner68
    @shortliner68 2 года назад +1

    I learned something about plating I didn't know before. I always thought you had to copper plate steel before nickel plating. Good to know you should nickel plate directly on the steel and then follow with the copper plating, if desired.

    • @jacquesomersavard7257
      @jacquesomersavard7257 2 года назад

      also after pkated in nikel reverce the polarit for 20 sec this give a better strong copper addered

    • @jacquesomersavard7257
      @jacquesomersavard7257 2 года назад

      we made this for chrome plated

  • @johnrheiner3234
    @johnrheiner3234 Год назад

    I knew nothing at all about electroplating before this video. Now I have a really good understanding. It not voodoo, just basic science.

  • @kevinbowers3917
    @kevinbowers3917 6 лет назад +15

    Love the falsetto voice "but doesn't it seem silly?" Yes, silly as f"*', and gut laughing funny... cheers, ed.

  • @jjz814
    @jjz814 5 лет назад +5

    As soon as you said "into greek yogurt container" i hit the sub

  • @graymatters6155
    @graymatters6155 5 лет назад +6

    That may be the coolest hack I've ever seen someone do on RUclips

    • @paulchedzey7276
      @paulchedzey7276 4 года назад +1

      James Samuelsen it's not a hack it's actually how you do it.

  • @tammygurl64
    @tammygurl64 2 года назад +1

    This is awesome! "And what about... blah blah blah" in high pitched voice. 😂 👍 Thanks for sharing this cool science experiment. I saw some videos that didn't use a power source for copper plating. Instead, they used their old warmed jewelry pickle that had turned blue from using it, tossed in a nail and the item they wanted plated on top of it, then waited until it was done. Your demo showing different types of plating (which I hadn't already seen) is very cool though!👍 Thanks again! 🙂

  • @MrFudgepump
    @MrFudgepump 3 года назад +1

    I'm literally about to try it this afternoon, you're a gentleman for providing an awesome guide, thank you kindly :)

  • @AirgunChannel
    @AirgunChannel Год назад +3

    Those "dings" in the video are super loud. Turn them down about 10 or 12 dB in the editing

  • @andrebartels1690
    @andrebartels1690 5 лет назад +34

    Two thumbs up for the warnings. One thumb down for the copper not being pure: Man, you added salt to your electrolyte. That is sodium, and _that_ is an impurity. You could exchange salt for copper sulphate which is also called blue vitriol. This should even work with demineralized water, without the vinegar.
    Another point is, I worked in a company which had a chrome galvanization department. You are absolutely right when you say *chrome will kill you*. This is really dangerous. You will catch cancer faster than you can spell it. Leave chrome to the professionals.
    Those guys there told me, that the normal process would be 1st copper as bonding agent to the steel, then nickel as filler and last a shine thin film of chrome.
    Just trying to be helpful.

    • @mikeavison5383
      @mikeavison5383 5 лет назад +1

      Normal commercial copper is very pure (unlike most other metals). Why? Well it is made by electroplating, and also pure copper is a good material for most applications. By contrast pure aluminium is very soft so they add silicon and/or copper. I am not sure how pure commercial nickel is, I suspect very (like copper). Normal commercial zinc is not very pure because of the way it is smelted (and the ores always contain other metals).

    • @andrebartels1690
      @andrebartels1690 5 лет назад +1

      @@mikeavison5383 Please, read my explanation _why_ is see an impurity in the process. I clearly point out that it does not come from the copper itself, but from the salt.

    • @cluelessbeekeeping1322
      @cluelessbeekeeping1322 5 лет назад

      @André Bartels
      I would love to copper plate this little gun I have, but don't want to plate the inside of the barrel, would you mind making a video of a better procedure to plate steel for better results? Also, what can you add to steel to prevent plating (the inside of the barrel). Thanks in advance!

    • @andrebartels1690
      @andrebartels1690 5 лет назад +1

      @@cluelessbeekeeping1322 I never intended to make a video.
      For your gun barrel, I would try two of those soft ear protection plug things to simply seal the muzzles. But for the plating you should go and try on something expendable. Btw you should keep in mind that these platings are very thin, and you can polish right through.

    • @cluelessbeekeeping1322
      @cluelessbeekeeping1322 5 лет назад +1

      @@andrebartels1690 This isn't an expensive gun by any measure, but I certainly would like something thick enough to where I could polish it and not worry about going through the finish to the steel. I personally do not care for 'regular steel.' It rusts too easily and the blueing certainly doesn't offer any protection. Oh well. Thanks.

  • @rickdion8285
    @rickdion8285 5 лет назад +13

    I'll be the one to ask does it work on gold

    • @EidonFreeman
      @EidonFreeman 3 года назад

      This process works with almost all metals, in this case they call it "golden coat" or wash

  • @marcocoppola8781
    @marcocoppola8781 4 года назад +1

    Many Thanks for your video, cristal clear even for a French Navy guy, trying to find the cheapest way doing plating on old farmer tools !
    "Chapeau bas" as we use to say in France.
    Jean-Marc

  • @andersjjensen
    @andersjjensen 17 дней назад

    George from Soup Classic Motoring sent me this way. Not disappointed! Will start scouring your back-catalogue!

  • @thehektikbogan7297
    @thehektikbogan7297 5 лет назад +10

    Kiwi humour, confusing the rest of the world since ages

  • @1movista
    @1movista 5 лет назад +5

    DAMMMMMMMMIT!!!!! I don't have a Greek yogurt container...only regular yogurt. SON OF A...!!
    I am going to try it, anyway. I will be anger-plating.

    • @mixerD1-
      @mixerD1- 5 лет назад +1

      🤣🤣🤣🤣

  • @IrishSkruffles
    @IrishSkruffles 6 лет назад +9

    This is a great video! I was looking at nickel plating kits but wasn't sold on them.. after all I just want to experiment with it :)

  • @warrenthomas1253
    @warrenthomas1253 Год назад

    Finally someone knows how to make a simple intro video for electroplating

  • @AlexanderBurgers
    @AlexanderBurgers 3 года назад

    Zinc actually dissolves in vinegar quite well so just dissolve some in it to create the electrolyte, the electric part isn't even required for the first step.
    I'm told adding some sugar to the mix will help with the surface finish on the zinc plating, I've yet to try it though.