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geekhack Community => Other Geeky Stuff => Topic started by: Phaedrus2129 on Sun, 16 January 2011, 20:24:44

Title: Electroplating
Post by: Phaedrus2129 on Sun, 16 January 2011, 20:24:44

I wanted to electroplate my house key to differentiate it from my garage key and back door key. So... yeah.


SCIENCE!!!

I used a 9V battery, a 1974 penny, and a solution of salt and white vinegar. I connected the key to the positive terminal of the battery, and the penny to the negative terminal, and let SCIENCE do its work.


(http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2011/016/2/7/electroplated_key_by_phaedrus2401-d37cmu2.jpg)

I didn't like that result, so I gave it a second coating, then polished it by burying it in a mound of salt with vinegar poured over it, letting it sit for a minute. Then I washed it off and gently buffed it (don't want to buff it too much or I might remove the copper entirely).

The final result is pleasing.

Finished product:
(http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/016/d/b/electroplated_key___finished_by_phaedrus2401-d37cqny.jpg)


Great success!!! :D

Title: Electroplating
Post by: Daniel Beaver on Sun, 16 January 2011, 20:59:37

Neat. What sort of process would allow for alternate colors?

Title: Electroplating
Post by: Phaedrus2129 on Sun, 16 January 2011, 21:05:57

What, like alternate metals?

Copper is unique in that it's one of the few metals that you can electroplate with common household materials. Most others require special solutions, and some metals (like gold and platinum and chrome) require extremely caustic, volatile chemicals, like aqua regia or cyanide.

Zinc can be done at home if you have access to hydrochloric acid and ammonia, which actually aren't too difficult to get.