Eastwood 10049Z User manual

© Copyright 2009 Easthill Group, Inc. Printed in the United States of America
Batteries Are Not Included
Operating Instructions
Eastwood
Electroplating System
Part #10049Z

2© Copyright 2008 Easthill Group, Inc. Printed in the United States of America
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Eastwood home electroplating system.
With this system, you can plate brass, copper, and steel parts (not for
stainless steel, aluminum, chrome, or pot metal). This product works
on the same principles as a commercial plating system, and with a little
experience and practice, you can achieve the same results. We have
spent an extensive amount of research time in order to deliver a system
that is safe, easy to use, and dependable.
NOTE: This single-step plating system is not recommended for larger
parts that require the additional corrosion and abrasion resistance that
only triple chrome plating can provide.
CAUTION: ALL safety precautions mentioned in these instructions
should be followed at all times.
Contents
Your electroplating kit contains the following items:
You will need to supply 2 D size batteries (not included).
If anything from the above list is not included in your kit, please call:
Eastwood Customer Services Department at 1-800-544-5118
1 battery box with leads
1 two quart container of electrolyte
1 pair of safety goggles
1 tube of Autosol polish
1 funnel
1 pair of disposable gloves
1 electroplating touch-up brush
1 anode bar
1 process bottle
NOTE:
Read ALL safety and operating instructions before use.
The Eastwood Tin-Zinc Plating System contains a mild acid solution.
It is entirely safe when used correctly.
NOT FOR USE BY CHILDREN!
The Electroplating System
To order parts and supplies, call 1-800-345-1178 or visit www.eastwood.com 3
Read ENTIRE MANUAL before use!
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE*
The electroplating solution, known as “electrolyte,” contains sulfuric
acid. Extreme care should be taken that the liquid does not come in
contact with skin or clothing. If spilled on clothing, remove and rinse
with cold water. If splashed into eyes, rinse with large amounts of
water and call a physician. If swallowed, do not induce vomiting and
call a physician.
• Safety goggles and gloves are included with your electroplating
kit. They must be worn at all times while plating.
• Keep electrolyte (plating solution) out of reach of children and
pets.
• DO NOT store solution in any type of metal container since the
electrolyte chemically interacts with certain metals.
• Keep electroplating solution stored at 40° to 95° F and only in its
original plastic bottle with the lid sealed tight when not in use! Transfer
to and from the wide mouth process bottle using the supplied funnel.
• DO NOT store solution in the wide mouth process bottle.
• DO NOT allow solution to contact any household chemicals or
cleaning materials. A reaction may occur either releasing dangerous
gasses or rendering the plating solution worthless.
• ALWAYS set up your plating system in an area close to a cold
water source and work in a well ventilated area.
If running water is not available, several buckets of fresh water will do.
• DO NOT smoke while plating.
• DO NOT eat or drink while plating.
• DO NOT operate the plating system while under the influence
of drugs or alcohol.
For spills, leaks, fire, or exposure call Day or Night:
CHEMTREC 1-800-424-9300 (USA – Toll Free )
202-483-7616 (International – Collect)
*MSDS Sheet available upon request.
Important Safety Instructions

To order parts and supplies, call 1-800-345-1178 or visit www.eastwood.com 5
4For technical assistance e-mail: [e-mail]
As with any restoration or decorative process, the finished product is
only going to be as good as the preparation. The actual electroplating
process is only the final step. Any flaws found in the part before plating
are still going to be there after the plating, unless you prepare properly.
If you want the finished piece to have a mirror-like shine, buffing the
part before plating will be necessary.
1. DISASSEMBLE OBJECT TO BE PLATED
First, any object to be plated should be disassembled into individual
pieces. Nothing should be left bolted together if possible.
2. REMOVE ALL GREASE, OIL, PAINT, OR RUST
All parts should be free of grease, oil, paint, or rust. Old paint may be
removed by abrasive blasting, paint remover, or sanding. Eastwood carries
many products which can aid in this process. To ensure that the parts are
chemically clean, we recommend that they be soaked in Eastwood’s Fast
Etch Rust Remover and then rinsed before plating.
3. CLEAN WITH A MILD DETERGENT
After surface preparation, all parts should be cleaned with a mild
detergent, followed by a wax and grease remover. We recommend
Eastwood’s PRE Painting Prep (#10041Z).
4. CLEAN IT AGAIN!
There is a general rule that should be followed for any kind of
plating preparation: when you think the part is clean enough to
be plated, clean it again! For best results and enhanced corrosion
protection, use Eastwood’s Fast Etch (#19416Z pint or #19418Z gallon).
Allow Eastwood’s Fast Etch to chemically clean the part for about 10
minutes or longer, as needed to assure all rust is removed. Rinse in clean
running water and immediately (do not let the part dry) place it in the
plating bath.
5. HANDLE CLEANED PARTS WITH GLOVES
It is very important that you do not handle the cleaned pieces with your
bare hands. You may leave traces of oil on the part which will cause
problems. Cleaned parts should be handled with gloves or pliers, being
careful not to scratch them.
6. PLATE THE PREPARED PARTS RIGHT AWAY
Parts that are cleaned are subject to corrosion quite rapidly; this is called
“flash rusting”. For this reason, it is very important that the parts be plated
as soon as possible after preparation.
Shake the Solution in Original Container
Due to the nature of the electrolyte, some settling of chemicals may
occur. Check to make sure the lid is secure, then shake the solution to
ensure a uniform mixture of the contents. Some sediment is normal and
will not affect performance.
Put Container on a Level Surface
and Hook Anode Bar Over the Rim
After shaking the solution, pour it into
a wide mouth plating container then
place it on a level surface. Take the
anode bar and hook it over the rim
(mouth) of the container allowing it to
hang into the plating solution.
Attach the Wire to The Anode
Attach the small silver alligator clip
on the red (positive) wire to the
end of the anode bar which is
hanging over the end of the solution
container. It is very important that
you do not allow this clip to enter
into the plating solution as this may
contaminate it. The black (negative)
wire attaches to the part you will
be plating. Note: Be sure positive
battery post is touching battery
holder contact
NOTE: For safety purposes, we recommend that you set up your plating
system as close as possible to a water source. Eastwood does not
recommend that you use your kitchen counter due to the proximity of
food, and that the electrolyte may discolor some decorative counter
tops. If a running water source is not available, several buckets of
fresh rinse water will be sufficient.
Setting Up The SystemPreparing Parts For Plating

6For technical assistance e-mail: [e-mail]
Attach Clip to The Part
After properly cleaning the part,
attach the copper clip on the end
of the black wire to the part to be
plated. Try to attach the clip as close
as possible to the edge of the piece,
or to a section that will not be visible
when the part is reassembled. Also, a
length of copper wire can be used to
connect the part to the clip if needed.
Place The Part in the Solution
Place the part into the solution
making sure that it does not contact
the anode on the way down. If the
part touches the anode during
plating, a discoloration may form at
the point of contact. Make sure the
part is fully submerged. Any portion
of the piece that remains above the
surface of the fluid will not plate. It is
acceptable to submerge the copper
clip into the solution but better to use
a copper extension wire. It will be
plated along with the part.
Plating Time and Thickness
The thickness of the plating depends on the amount of time the part
is left in the solution. There are no “fixed times” for leaving parts in
the plating bath; experience and practice will guide you. Try to find
some scrap pieces to practice on before doing “the good stuff”. Larger
objects take longer than smaller objects, with the maximum being about
thirty minutes. To give you a rough guide, the average bolt takes about
three to four minutes for sufficient plating build-up. Over-plating can
happen and should be avoided. You will know if you have over-plated
the part if it comes out of the bath with a rough, crusty surface. If this
happens, you will have to remove the plating and start over. Plating can
be slowly removed by reversing the polarity at the battery.
How It Works
To order parts and supplies, call 1-800-345-1178 or visit www.eastwood.com 7
Check the part about every three to four minutes. The gray film
that forms on the surface of the anode is normal. Plating efficiency
decreases as the gray film builds on the anode. Take the anode out of
the bath after about every fifth part that has been plated and clean it
by brushing gently with a nylon brush (a clean toothbrush works great)
under clean running water. Note: For extended anode life, reposition
the anode so that a different area of the bar is in contact with the
electrolyte. When you have completed plating the part, remove it from
the solution and rinse it for about sixty seconds in fresh water. The part
is now ready for final finishing.
Final Finishing
Your part is now electroplated with real
metal tin which will resist corrosion and
rusting with minimal care.
The gray film which forms over the part
while plating can be removed easily by
hand, using the Autosol polish included
in your kit. Machine buffing of the finished piece is
not necessary nor is it recommended.
Parts which are pitted on the surface can be
finished with an attractive satin sheen by lightly
glass beading them or by using a fine scuff pad.
For best long-term durability, degrease with PRE
or Acetone and coat with Diamond Clear Gloss for
Bare Metal (#10200Z) or Extreme Diamond Clear
(#29894Z).
With a little imagination, you can see the many
uses for your electroplating system. It can be
used for cars, boats, antiques, jewelry or virtually
anything made of metal. The alloy which is
deposited on the surface is non-toxic and lead-
free, so it is environmentally safe.
Pieces treated with the electroplating system have
an excellent corrosion resistant base which can
be easily painted over without such compatibility
problems as lifting or bleed-through.
The system is not recommended for use over chrome plated parts or
for large parts such as bumpers or wheels.
Final Finishing of Plated Parts

Storage of the Electroplating System
When not in use, remove the anode bar from the solution, clean it with
a nylon brush under running water. Pour the plating solution back in the
storage bottle using the included funnel. Be sure the container’s plastic
lid is tightened securely. Rinse the plating container in clean running
water. Store the solution at temperatures between 40° to 95° F and out
of reach of children and pets. Remove the batteries from the holder.
Rinse off the black lead with clean water thoroughly to ensure that all
traces of the electrolyte have been removed. (Traces of the solution left
on the clip will affect its performance if left on for extended periods).
Store the wire leads and batteries in a dry place.
Connecting The Electroplating Touch-up Brush
1. Attach the small alligator clip on the red wire to the brush.
2. Attach the large copper clip on the black wire the to part to be plated.
Using The Electroplating Touch-up Brush
NOTE: There are no fixed times for plating. Experience and practice
will guide you. Do not stroke the brush as if to paint the surface.
1. Dip the brush head into the electroplating solution.
Be careful to wet only the bristles.
2. Hold brush with bristles against surface to be plated. Avoid surface
contact with the metal parts of the brush. Brush the part very slowly
(for about 10 seconds).
3. Repeat as necessary until plating is the desired thickness.
Replacement Components – Your electroplating kit can plate literally
dozens of parts effectively. After some time, however, the components
may need to be refreshed.
Electrolyte Replacement – Replaces the electrolyte solution that may
get contaminated during normal plating system use.
2 quart container (#10049ZB).
Anode Replacement – Replaces eroded anodes that result from
normal usage of the plating system.
Pack of 2 anodes (#10049A).
Storing the Electroplating System
If you have any questions about the use of this product, please contact
The Eastwood Technical Assistance Service Department:
1-866-759-2131 email: [email protected]
The Eastwood Company
263 Shoemaker Road, Pottstown, PA 19464, USA
US and Canada: 1-800-345-1178 Outside US: 610-718-8335
fax: [phone] www.eastwood.com
Instruction Manual #10049ZQ - Rev. 2/09