Electrochemistry Anyone know how to rodium plate over brass.

[Eamonn]

Hi All
My brother is trying to rhodium plate,which he knows how to do on white gold. But he can't get it to plate on a brass watch. He did try plating first with silver but it didn't stick.
Maybe someone on the forum knows the process or anything in that area.

Cheers
Eamonn

 

[nickvc]

Try a nickel plate first it should be a barrier for the Rh to strike on.

 

[NobleMetalWorks]

When MetalWorking, plating organic material with gold, silver, etc. I use a conductive paint, then copper, the gold, silver, etc.

Since you are plating with brass, it seems copper plating, the rhodium, might be readable.

Scott

 

[Lino1406]

What method was tried to plate (electroplate?)

 

[Lou]

Jeez, Scott's still alive? Where ya been?


And yes, nickel strike from nickel sulfamate bath, then rhodium plate from rhodium sulfate bath. Use platinum/titanium anode for rhodium, and nickel anode for the other.


Lou

 

[Eamonn]

Thanks for the info guys.
I'm not sure what he tried first it was an electroplating method though.
He has since got some nickel plating solution but hasn't tried it yet.
I'll let you know and post a picture if successful.
His engraving is pretty sweet.

 

[Eamonn]

He did the rhodium plate. As was suggested it needed a nickel plate onto the brass then the rhodium. Thanks guys.
Here is a couple of videos showing the brass watch case being engraved.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZFu5ihuZ7k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_Q--giHSHM

And the watch after rhodium plated.Its at the end of the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysD_mVl6t8k

Cheers
Eamonn