BEST DIY Electroplating Solution

Watch as we show you the process to create your own DIY electroplating/electroforming solution. This video is not intended to be an instructional video but an educational video, if you don’t have the proper training please do not attempt this. I will include the Amazon associates links for the products I used below.
Materials List:
* 200g Copper Sulfate Pentahydrate
* 0.05 mL (a drop) Hydrochloric Acid
* 50mL Sulfuric Acid
* Distilled Water to 950ml
* Brighter
Directions:
* Add distilled water to the 950mL line of the beaker
* Add 200g of copper sulfate pentahydrate
* Add 0.05 mL (a drop) hydrochloric acid
* With a stirring rod, or magnetic stirrer, thoroughly stir until dissolved
* Using a syringe or pipet add 50mL of 95%+ sulfuric acid and stir (always add acid to water, never the reverse!!)
Acid Resistant Gloves:
amzn.to/3vIxwnl
Beaker Set:
amzn.to/3VNjeN0
Distilled Water:
amzn.to/3U698Wi
Magnetic Stir:
amzn.to/49rtCwZ
Muratic Acid:
amzn.to/4anvurM
Copper Sulfate (Amazon version):
www.amazon.com/dp/B08QLMY7HG/...
Sulfuric Acid:
www.amazon.com/dp/B08QSJTDV7/...
Electroplating is a process that coats the surface of an object with a thin layer of metal, giving it a shiny and durable finish. However, to electroplate 3D prints, you need to make them conductive first. That’s where the graphite paint comes in. Graphite is a form of carbon that has high electrical conductivity, and can be mixed with India ink to create a paint that can adhere to resin or plastic prints. By applying a thin layer of graphite paint to your 3D prints, you can make them ready for electroplating. You can use different metals, such as copper, nickel, or silver, to achieve different results.
Link to my Patreon. Members have access to download all files and content used across my channel - / icanbuildthat
#howto #electroplating #diy #diycrafts #diyprojects #3dprinting #metal3dprinting #resin3dprinter #resin3dprinting

[@TroyCLE]

This video was so helpful that I decided NOT to make my own solution at this time. I fully heeded your words to not do this if we do not know what we are doing and are not fully equipped to do so. To mitigate the perils of personally mixing the chemicals, I bought a premade "Bright Copper Electroforming Solution" and "Bright Nickel Plating Solution, Acid-Based," both of which have yet to arrive at the time of this writing. I also got some "Midas Replenishing Brightener For Electroforming Copper" for when I do use this video to make my own solution. Thanks again!

[@DIYCOOLSTUFF]

I think you will be happy with both solutions and the brightener, please reach out if you have any questions or trouble, I’ll try to help where I can! I appreciate your support!

[@noahreichert7842]

Great video, love the focus on safety. Please do clip the mic closer to your mouth though, sounds muffled.

[@Incorruptus1]

Thank you very much Sir for uploading your elaborations, experiments and knowledge. It is interesting and educational. Thanks a lot!

[@juangarcilazo7006]

Awesome video. Followed all steps and now Im able to electroplate my 3d prints. Thanks for your help! Can you please now make a video on how to post process the electroplated parts? Im struggling to get the mirror effect on my parts. Im using a dremmel with polishing wheel on it and some polishing compound, but still too far from mirror effect. Great job and keep going!

[@DIYCOOLSTUFF]

I will absolutely get a video of how to do that up. I've got the next few already made, and I've been working on my com badge video for ages but as soon as I finish that one it would probably be a good time to get that video out there. until then what I do: 1. rinse with distilled and baking soda to nullify acid 2. let dry completely 3. use increasingly fine sandpaper grits until its near mirror. I go to about 5000 grit wet sanding here. You need a very smooth surface to get the mirror effect. 4. use a buffing wheel on a drill press or Dremel with a buffing compound to get the mirror effect. - if it's a really odd, shaped item where standard methods of polishing aren't practical the I use a rock Tumbler with media designed to polish brass to polish my copper plates. This won't necessarily come out mirror, but it's definitely polished.

[@juangarcilazo7006]

Awesome! Thank you for the answer. Can't wait for your next video. You just got a new subscriber today!

[@lancem87]

Love your instructional series videos. Have you thought about making a barrel plater? There seems to be very few DIY videos available on this process and I think that it might be a niche you could fill.

[@DIYCOOLSTUFF]

I have really thought about it, but after reading your comment, I think I could build a pretty simple one that could mostly be 3d printed. I'll put it on the videos to do in the future list.

[@AdventureLifeFiles]

Thankyou!

[@MAKRAMLAGH-cs2fj]

شكرا❤

[@charlenesanders-pg6xj]

I def want to try this!

[@DIYCOOLSTUFF]

You should give it a try! be safe!

[@foxxybrn1]

Love your videos. What happened to the end results video? Would love to see the COM badge and the ring results

[@DIYCOOLSTUFF]

Just posted the video, if you want to check it out.

[@jiminlee4301]

Nice video! A quick question, the Cu-plated piece looks like a steamed salmon, I mean looks not glossy; what treatment should be processed after Cu plating? Maybe I missed it

[@DIYCOOLSTUFF]

Thank you! The parts need to be polished after plating, if its a smooth surface something as simple as steel wool will be enough, if its a rougher surface then you can either use sand paper, rotary tools, buffing wheel, or a tumbler with polishing media etc… Im working on a video about this but there is also some good information out there if you google how to polish electroplated copper.

[@markkevin7245]

This is mind blowing! I’ve only just come across your video and this process is amazing! I never thought you could do this on a diy level… as for the acid mixture… scary stuff but when it’s mixed and diluted with water is it safe to touch? Not going to eat it or go for a bath but would like to think it’s much safer when mixed? As I would make a batch and then I can store the strong stuff away.. I’m in uk so have Found I can only get most things from a chemical company …..my main thing to produce is small keepsakes.. leaves.. small prints… but I wonder if you could electroplate a full size mask… like a stormtrooper mask.. you could use a plastic storage container… but that depends if the solution gives off bad fumes… I was going to have set up away from anyone in garage….thanks for sharing your wisdom.. and would like t know your thoughts on diluted solution.

[@DIYCOOLSTUFF]

Even diluted the solution would not be safe to come into contact with bare skin or to inhale fumes for a long period of time (however fumes are less of a concern than skin contact as they dissipate in a fairly short distance, and with decent ventilation the fumes are of minimal concern. Acid resistant PPE is a must regardless of if mixed or not. Diluted sulfuric acid is actually more reactive than concentrated believe it or not. Long explanation but worth a read if your interested in the science of that. Not sure about if its available in the UK, but there are quite a few premixed copper plating solutions available on amazon in the US if you don't fancy mixing your own however its less cost effective to order premixed. Don't let that scare you way though, with a little precaution it can be done safe and still be enjoyable. As far as plating a large item its absolutely possible and you can use the same method, however the power supply used in my video and most others in that price range are going to be borderline inadequate to provide enough energy to plate such a large item in a timely manner, not saying it couldn't be done but by the math alone it seems it would be fairly slow process. I've actually purchased a fish tank and plan to try plating a Mandalorian Helmet one of these days so if you're still watching my stuff when that day gets here, I'll let you know how it goes.

[@markkevin7245]

@@DIYCOOLSTUFF thanks very much! And I will work safe.. good to know that the solution is still a danger…I was thinking a heavy clear storage box would be good to do a large item… and as the voltage is low.. I thought maybe if I left helmet in solution working away maybe in a week or so it would cover. But I’ll start small… I’m really amazed by this..

[@ayatecgroup4544]

❤❤❤❤❤ thanks

[@DIYCOOLSTUFF]

No Problem let me know if you have any questions!

[@NEKRWSPHERE]

H2SO4 is not the same acid as in your stomach. HCl - Hydrochloric acid is in your stomach. Though I don't recommend carelessness around strong solutions of Hcl either. Review your WHMIS and read the data sheets before proceeding, and wear protective equipment even when working with weaker concentrations (cleaning etc.)

[@DIYCOOLSTUFF]

Not sure if that was directed at me, I don't believe I referred to H2SO4 as stomach acid anywhere in the video. If so, I mis spoke, but I reviewed the video and couldn't find it. Spent a decent portion of the video on acid safety so I'm grateful for a heads up if I did misspeak because I did try to overly stress safety. Thanks for watching!

[@rickykngo]

Will this solution work for gold or platinum as well?

[@DIYCOOLSTUFF]

I have never tried to use gold or platinum but I wouldn’t think this would be ideal solution to use with either of those metals.

[@RamDragon32]

4:20 Despite the ironinc timestamp, am i the only one who noticed he's grabbin the wrong eye prot here? Might protect yer eyes from flying debris but not from fumes or liquid splashing and with that much acid and heat ya really need chem goggles. I'd recommend chem goggles and a full face shield, but I used to do printmaking with nitric acid baths and large(ish) copper plates so I get paranoid about acid splashes from my own exposure.

[@DIYCOOLSTUFF]

Chem goggles or a visor shield are def the way to go, thanks for the reminder I'll be sure to mention that in any future videos on the subject and add it to the description materials list. Cheers!

[@jeremy_6838]

Your sound quality sucks !

[@DIYCOOLSTUFF]

Haha yes I know, new videos have been recorded with better gear, learning curb I guess, sometimes learning how to shoot the video and record the audio is more tough than whatever I’m doing.