BLACK NICKEL INSTRUCTIONS

Black Nickel Plating Kit Instructions
Black Nickel Plating results in a translucent to solid black metal coating over Nickel, Copper, Brass, Tin, Steel,
Stainless Steel and Zinc. Plating over Zinc will give the darkest colors. Depth of color can be varied by varying
plating time and amperage used. Shorter plating times and lower amperages give a more translucent color, and
vice versa.

READ MSDS AND WEAR ALL PROTECTIVE GEAR BEFORE STARTING

Tank Setup for 1.5 Gal Kit
For 3 Gal Kit, multiply by 2
For 4.5 Gal Kit, multiply by 3
For 15 Gal Kit, multiply by 10

Degreasing Tank
1. In a plastic tank, add 1.5 Gallons of Distilled Water
2. Add 12oz of SP Degreaser Powder
3. Heat in a metal pot on a hotplate and transfer back to bucket for use and storage if desired.

Plating Tank
1. In a plastic tank, add 1.5 Gallons Distilled Water
2. Add the bag of Black Nickel Crystals
3. Stir with a plastic spoon until dissolved.
4. Mark liquid level with permanent marker on outside of tank
5. Cut a small slit up each anode, about 9/10 of the way up. Bend back the strip and hang anode on tank
wall so that the strip is on the outside of the tank. Make electrical connections to this strip.
6. Install a piece of copper pipe across the top of the tank to hang parts from
7. Install agitation pump

1
Operating the System

Parts MUST be perfectly clean before plating. If a bright plated finish is required, parts must also be
polished to a high shine before plating.

Immerse the parts in the degreaser solution until clean. A soft brush may help speed the cleaning
process.

Check Cleanliness by Performing a Water break Test – water should sheet off the clean part, not bead
up.

RINSING WITH DISTILLED WATER

The part should be raised out of the solution and sprayed
liberally with distilled water.
The runoff should be allowed to drain into the tank.

Oil/dirt film makes water bead up

No oil/dirt film allows water to cover part

2
PROCEDURE SETUP OPERATING EQUIPMENT SAFETY
PARAMETERS
1. SURFACE Buff & Polish for a mirror finish. Bead Blast for a ‘flat or Butler Nickel’ finish. Nylon Abrasive wheel
PREPARATION buff for a ‘scratched brush’ look.
140- 200oF 1 x Plastic tank Wear rubber
No agitation 1 x tank lid gloves and
5 mins immersion SP Degreaser goggles. Do
not ingest
2. DEGREASING 12 oz. SP Degreaser
1.5 gal Distilled water

3. RINSE IN
DISTILLED WATER
SPRAY

4. WATER BREAK
TEST
Oil/dirt film makes water bead up No oil/dirt film allows water to cover part

5. CALCULATE TOTAL SURFACE AREA AND PLATING TIME
Agitation (pump) 1 x plastic tank Wear rubber
1 pack Crystals per 1.5 1 x tank lid gloves and
gals of DISTILLED 2 Nickel Anodes goggles. Do
WATER 2 Anode Bandages not ingest
1 x filter/pump
0.01 amp per 1 sq” Crystals
Distilled water
6. Tank Makeup pH = 4.5-6

Plate for 2-10 minutes. Longer times will give more solid color. Feel free to experiment.
7. Plating Times

8. Replace lost water After plating, top up the tank with DISTILLED water to the original waterline.
9. Protect If desired, protect finish with lacquer, Caswell Sealer or Wax.

3
Troubleshooting

Problem Cause Remedy
No deposit No current (or gassing from part) Check all electrics
1. Poor preparation
Check part with 'waterbreak' test. Check SP
Plate peels off or blisters Degreaser is OK.
2. Inadequate cleaning
Pitted Plate and Orange Peel 1. Hydrogen bubbles formed on Alter agitation, or use manual agitation of the
effect part part.

1. Amps too high Reduce current

Rough Plate 2. suspended particles in solution Filter solution (no charcoal). Clean filter

3. pH too high or low Adjust Ph to within 4.5-6

'Burnt' Plate Too much current Lower the amperage

Dull Plate 1. Part not polished properly Strip the plate off and re-polish