How to Electroplate With AC
- 1). Put on rubber gloves. Clean the item being electroplated thoroughly with cleaning solvent using a clean rag. The item must be free of all dirt, rust, and oils in order for the metal to stick to it in an even coat.
- 2). Add the acidic solution that is appropriate for the type of metal you are plating to the container you are using for the job. Make sure the solution fills the container high enough to completely immerse the object being plated.
- 3). Hook the clip of the cathode on the edge of the container so that the clip is in the solution.
- 4). Hook the clip of the anode to the top of the object being plated.
- 5). Make sure the rectifier is turned off. Connect the other ends of the anode and cathode to the outputs of the rectifier. Adjust the power settings for the current needed for the job.
- 6). Plug the rectifier into the AC current. Make sure once more that the rectifier is turned off.
- 7). Mix enough metal powder to completely cover the object into the solution in the container and mix well.
- 8). Place the object in the solution in the middle of the container away from the sides. One way to do this is to place a stick over the top of the container and tape the wire of the object to the stick so the object is dangling in the solution.
- 9). Turn the rectifier on allowing the electroplating process to begin.
- 10
Turn the rectifier off once the object has been completely covered by the metal. Remove the object from the solution and then remove the anode. You are finished electroplating with AC.