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| Tips, Techniques, and Questions -- Technical questions or tips |
2013-10-27, 4:25pm
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Moving On
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Join Date: Jun 05, 2005
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Electroplating/electroforming Question(s)
I'm trying to copperplate some acorn beads (I last did it about 2 years ago, and that was the only time I did it). The coating is "growing"...but is sort of dull and salmon-y colored. From the instructions I've read, this could be from not straining the solution.
Is that it? Or something else?
Regardless of why it is looking that way, can I "turn it around" so that it looks more copper-y?
Should I stop? Rinse? Strain? Sell the whole thing?
Help!!!!
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2013-10-28, 10:57am
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Artistically Absorbed
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It also could be the setting is to high on the rectifier if I remember right. I think it will likely shine up sparkly when you are done with a metal brush or some buffing.
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2013-10-28, 11:32am
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Senior Member
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Hi Gail, are you doing electroforming where you paint the copper on it? I'm still a bit confused by the difference of plating vs electroforming.
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2013-10-28, 11:34am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by karrina310
Hi Gail, are you doing electroforming where you paint the copper on it? I'm still a bit confused by the difference of plating vs electroforming.
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Yes! I'm sure I've got the terminology wrong!
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2013-10-28, 11:37am
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I strained and filtered my solution and am trying with another bead, and tried wire brushing yesterday's beads...It is looking a bit better. Now I want to figure out how to get a green patina in the crevices. I have liver of sulphur (not that I know how to use that), but I'm pretty sure that makes black, not green).
I think I have mushy-brain syndrome.
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2013-10-28, 11:44am
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Administrator
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gail Joseph
I strained and filtered my solution and am trying with another bead, and tried wire brushing yesterday's beads...It is looking a bit better. Now I want to figure out how to get a green patina in the crevices. I have liver of sulphur (not that I know how to use that), but I'm pretty sure that makes black, not green).
I think I have mushy-brain syndrome.
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I have put the copper thing in salt water, let it dry, then suspend it in a plastic bag over ammonia. It will get you the green.
I take a small glass of ammonia, suspend the bead over the cup, do not let it touch the ammonia, put the whole cup with the bead and everything in a zipper bag... Be very careful opening the bag, all the fumes will come out and try to gag you. Just watch it to see when it gets the color you want.
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2013-10-29, 5:29am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CorriDawn
I have put the copper thing in salt water, let it dry, then suspend it in a plastic bag over ammonia. It will get you the green.
I take a small glass of ammonia, suspend the bead over the cup, do not let it touch the ammonia, put the whole cup with the bead and everything in a zipper bag... Be very careful opening the bag, all the fumes will come out and try to gag you. Just watch it to see when it gets the color you want.
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This works well, I put them under my ventilation hood for setup and opening again. Ammonia fumes can be quite toxic so be sure that you have good ventilation when you do this.
Robert
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2013-10-30, 8:43am
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Hey Gail,
From my experience, if you get a dull, salmon color you don’t have enough current. The biggest mistake made in electroforming is not setting the machine to the proper amperage for the area that you are electroforming in the tank. You must set the rectifier to .10 amp per square inch of metal surface that you are electroforming in your tank with the copper solution.
If your setting is too low the copper will build-up with a salmon/shrimp color on it. If the setting is right it will come out like a new penny. If the setting is too high you will get the same crystallization on the work piece that you got on the wire when making a bad connection and it will be dark, powdery and grainy.
Also make sure that the size of your anodes is equal or greater than the total of surface that you are electroforming in the tank.
Hope that helps,
Robin
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2013-10-30, 7:12pm
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Thanks everyone! Mission accomplished!!
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2013-10-30, 7:27pm
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pictures or it didn't happen 
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2013-11-01, 11:07am
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Here are a couple of the pieces:
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2013-12-26, 8:33am
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Beautiful, Gail! Something I must learn.♥
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2013-12-28, 11:40am
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Glass-aholic
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Ok now to add to the questioning, what or how are you seeking the copper when you are done?
They look great!!
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Minor 10lpm Oxy-Con + HH on Propylene . . . . . .
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hand dyed silk ribbons in many colors!
WASHERS & TOPPERS - layering components for interchangeable glass topper and to use in other jewelry/metalwork.:
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2013-12-28, 12:06pm
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honorary bead lady
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2014-01-03, 1:12pm
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Glass-aholic
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That's a great link David.
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Minor 10lpm Oxy-Con + HH on Propylene . . . . . .
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hand dyed silk ribbons in many colors!
WASHERS & TOPPERS - layering components for interchangeable glass topper and to use in other jewelry/metalwork.:
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