Electroplating at home - Check these out!

At last there are electroplate kits for the average model maker like you and me. Now theres no need to get hem sent off somewhere and pay a fortune, although i'm sure there are a few people who actually paid attention in science classes who've actually been doing their own home plating for ages now. Think of the possibilities - plated rims, engine parts, interior trim - endless!

Nickel Plating System (http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=83082)

Chrome Plating System (http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=83083)

Gold Plating System (http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=83084)

that is very cool. I've been to that site many times and never noticed that!

that is very cool. I've been to that site many times and never noticed that!

Coz they've just been released.

Micro-Mark is model makers heaven IMO

Doesn't say it works on plastic, does it?

Doesn't say it works on plastic, does it?

Hmmm..Good point! My excitement was short lived then, how did I fail to remember the key necessity of plating stuff is that it needs to conduct electricity - duh!!! So how do they plate plastic and resin parts then???

No, they won't work on plastic alone . . .

You'll need a conductive paint such as SILVASPRAY (http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/silvaspray.html) but, as you can see, it doesn't come cheap. . .

oh well, its still usefull for those few of us who do fabricate metal parts.

i do feel tht it is a little over priced though. its basic GCSE chemistry...ill go through my old a-level stuff to find exactly what you need as i cant remember that far back.

anyone else remember electrolysis at school?

edit: oh sorry chris, i never read your post fully :rolleyes: . ill still check out how it can be done cheaper

It won't work on plastic, as the current will not pass thro' it unless it's metal.

Hmmm..Good point! My excitement was short lived then, how did I fail to remember the key necessity of plating stuff is that it needs to conduct electricity - duh!!! So how do they plate plastic and resin parts then???
I beleive they use a vacum plating procees , I have a friend who knows a plater I will ask him for sure

Sa-weet! Now I can chrome some stuff for my latest project; 1/12 Scratchbuilt Hot Rod.
I need to get some of that stuff. Chrome chassis, brakes, etc.

Sa-weet! Now I can chrome some stuff for my latest project; 1/12 Scratchbuilt Hot Rod.
I need to get some of that stuff. Chrome chassis, brakes, etc.
DId you read the whole post GTMike? This won't work on plastic as it does not conduct electricity, if your model is metal it will work fine.
I am looking for some more info, and in fact Mark Gustafson thinks he has some info on making the plastic conductive, I will let you guys know.
D
Whoops I just read you sig, your in busuiness. 20 Gauge steel thats pretty ambitious, any pics?

DId you read the whole post GTMike? This won't work on plastic as it does not conduct electricity, if your model is metal it will work fine.
I am looking for some more info, and in fact Mark Gustafson thinks he has some info on making the plastic conductive, I will let you guys know.
D
Whoops I just read you sig, your in busuiness. 20 Gauge steel thats pretty ambitious, any pics?
click on the pic in his sig

Okay boys here you go, check out htis thread!
Its seems the solution isn't cheap but........
http://www.modelcarkits.com/cgi-bin/webbbs/board.cgi?read=435882

link to Silvaspray
http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/silvaspray.html

click on the pic in his sig
I just took a look, very cool. Are you in the States? Did you see the all aluminum ( non painted ) Roadster Boyd Coddingtons guys did on American Hot Rod?

I just took a look, very cool. Are you in the States? Did you see the all aluminum ( non painted ) Roadster Boyd Coddingtons guys did on American Hot Rod?

Yes I am in the states, and yes I did see the episodes of American Hot Rod. In fact the Alumatub was my inspiration for this project. Also a coincidence, I am on Boyd Coddingtons site right now.

Thanks for the comments on the project, every reply to about it motivates me. But right now Im down in florida enjoying some waves, sun, and sand.

I just took a look, very cool. Are you in the States? Did you see the all aluminum ( non painted ) Roadster Boyd Coddingtons guys did on American Hot Rod?

me? no, im in england. im sure some channel will air it at some point though.