Getting started with silver plating

[ropel]

Hi all –

I have been searching quite a bit on electroplating, but haven’t found the right sources to get started yet.

People that do the silver plating for dags seem to mostly use an electroplating bath. It seems the degreasing and plating liquids are hard to get as individual in Europe though? I have seen some mention of kits in the USA (e.g., Caswell plating, Angel gilding). Shipping these solutions cross-continent is clearly difficult. In Europe I have seen Wieland Wilaplat, which seems only available for companies/professionals.

A few questions:
– I see some DIY electrobrushing kits where you brush on the layer (e.g., Caswell plug ‘n plate silver kit). Seems these kits are readily available and a quick start. Not sure how well that holds up for a dag? I would guess you get uneven layer thickness?
– I’ve even seen polish on such as Nushine silver plating solution – seems cheap and easy. Any experiences with this?
– I’d prefer to start decently with a DC power generator and a glass container with anode and cathode. Any recommendations on documentation (safety instructions) and where to obtain the plating liquids in Europe?

Thanks for considering my newbie questions.

Cheers,

Roy

[Murphy]

Wieland Wilaplat is probably your best solution in Europe. Certainly there is a means of purchasing them where you live. Direct contact for reseller names could work.

[ropel]

Thanks for your suggestion Murphy!

I have been trying to find resellers for Wilaplat, but all seem restricted to professional use.
Now I found a silver electrolyte via Tifoo.de in Europe.
Materials just arrived. Once DC power supply is in I’m ready for first tests.

[Murphy]

Excellent. I wish you success Roy.

[ropel]

Some time has passed. Finally I managed to get a piece of copper nicely silver plated.
Polishing skills are yet to be developed, but pleased to get a decent layer of silver in place.

The Tifoo.de materials are easy enough and affordable for home use (https://www.tifoo.de/en-uk/silver-plating-solution)!
Also important – cyanide free 🙂

[pruts]

I use products from Wieland for silvering and degreasing. I use a big silver plate for the silvering ( big investment) . The plates are always moving during the proces.
Grtz from Belgium

[Author]

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