Plate 3D Printed Parts Easily Plates over PLA, ABS, PVA, Nylon and More Includes Highly Conductive Graphite Bearing Paint Easily Create Professional Looking Metallic Parts At Home Plates A Bright, Smooth Copper Plated Finish. Professional Grade Plating Chemicals Provide ...Plate 3D Printed Parts Easily Plates over PLA, ABS, PVA, Nylon and More Includes Highly Conductive Graphite Bearing Paint Easily Create Professional Looking Metallic Parts At Home Plates A Bright, Smooth Copper Plated Finish. Professional Grade Plating Chemicals Provide Professional Results The Kit Includes: 1 Gallon Plating Tank And Lid (6" diameter) 4 fl oz Conductive Graphite Paint (covers approx 5 sq ft) Bright Copper Plating Crystals (Makes 3/4 US Gal) - You need to supply 8 fl oz automotive battery acid (available at most auto parts stores including NAPA) Industry Grade Copper Brightener and Leveler 2 Copper Anodes 5 Amp Plating Recitifer (Plates Parts Up To 70 sq inches) Bare Copper Wire To Hang Parts Copper tank bar 1 sheet 600 grit wet and dry paper Small paint brush Rubber gloves Instructions If you add the optional Nickel or Copy Chrome , you will also receive: Extra tank 3/4 Gallon Plating Crystals (Nickel or Copy Chrome ) Brightener 2 anodes (Nickel or Cobalt) To plate onto 3D Printed Objects, first apply the conductive paint over the object and allow to dry.
Inspect the item to ensure full coverage. An optional second coat of paint can be added to ensure coverage. Lightly sand the item with the wet and dry paper to remove any glossy areas of paint, reduce roughness and expose the graphite.
Hang the item from the copper wire into the copper plating tank from the tank bar. Adjust the amperage on the power supply based on the surface area of the item. For example, a 1" cube will total 6 square inches in area.
Use our Surface Area Calculator if you need assistance. Copper and nickel plating require 0.07 amps per square inch, so set the rectifier for 0.42 amps (6 x 0.07). Plate for 20-60 mins with the copper.
After plating, the copper finish can be sanded slightly or polished with buffing wheels and compound. If proceeding to Nickel or Copy Chrome plating, the part should be thoroughly degreased with Simple Green, Dawn soap, Soft Scrub or similar cleaners. Do not use alcohol or lacquer thinners.