Plating with the ProLab cm Series

The plating voltages and times suggested below are a starting point based off our experience with the solution. We recommend starting at the lower voltage and working your way up. Starting at too high of a voltage can result in burning or damaging your piece.

The voltages and plating times can significantly differ depending on what the type of metal you are plating onto and how much surface area is submerged in the beaker.

Note that platinized titanium and graphite anodes are considered universal, in that they are inert and can technically be used in any solution. Graphite, while more affordable, does break down but the residue usually doesn't affect the solution. The following chart contains our anode recommendations based on what we have found works best for us.

 Pre- Treatment Solutions Anode Required Bath Voltage Time Temperature
Electro Cleaner Stainless Steel 5 - 7 Volts, optimum 5 30 Sec - 2 Min, shouldn't need to exceed 2 Min 120 - 140 F
Chrome Stripper Stainless Steel 5 Volts As Required Room
Surface Activator Stainless Steel or Graphite 6 Volts 15 - 30 Seconds Room
Trival Platinum Plated Titanium or Graphite 5 - 7 Volts 10 - 20 Seconds Room
Wood’s Nickel Strike Pure Nickel 5 - 7 Volts 20 - 30 Seconds Room
Copper Strike Stainless Steel or Copper with Agitation .8 Volts *very sensitive to voltage

30 Seconds

 130 F

 

Plating Solutions Anode Required Bath Voltage Time Temperature Agitation Recommended
24K, 18K, 14K Bright Gold - Bath Graphite or Stainless Steel  2 - 4 Volts 2 - 4 Minutes 95 - 105 F, optimum  100 F Yes
Pure Gold Platinum Plated Titanium or Graphite 1.5 - 2.0 Volts *very sensitive to voltage Time to deposit one micron ~ 5 minutes

120 - 150 F, optimum   150 F

 Yes
Rose Gold - Bath Stainless Steel 4 - 6 Volts 1-2 Minutes 120 - 130 F Yes
Eco - Rose Gold Stainless Steel 3 - 4 Volts 30 - 40 Seconds 130 - 140 F Yes
Rhodium Platinum Plated Titanium 2 - 4 Volts 30 - 60 Seconds Room Yes
Palladium Platinum Plated Titanium 1.5 - 2 Volts, optimum 2 *very sensitive to voltage 15 - 30 Seconds (plating generally doesn't exceed 2 Min) 120 F Yes
Silver NC Stainless Steel 1.5 - 3 Volts 1 - 2 Minutes Room Yes
Bright Nickel Pure Nickel 6 Volts + (smaller items may need 3-6 Volts) 1 - 2 Minutes 140 F Yes
Bright Acid Copper Pure Copper  1 - 3 Volts, optimum 1.5 2 Minutes + Room Yes