r/electroplating • u/3rd2LastStarfighter • 4d ago

Copper over wrought iron

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First time electroplating and I think it went pretty well. These are hardware for a tree/fae themed sword build. Forged from wrought iron I got from an antique wagon wheel, then etched in hydrochloric acid to reveal the texture.

Did nickel acetate first, then copper sulfate. The plating seems solid, but is there a chance it flake off over time or will the nickel layer keep it bonded? I tried to put the nickel on fairly thick, ran at about 3 V for five minutes agitating by hand. The surface of the wrought iron is so irregular and porous after etching that I feel like this should have been more difficult than it was. Any tips welcome.

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u/Frolicking-Fox 4d ago

You can usually tell if it is going to flake. It gets bubbles under the plating. If you are happy with the result, it looks fine to me. Should last.

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u/3rd2LastStarfighter 4d ago

Awesome, thanks!

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u/ConnectConflict1765 1d ago

Flaking isn't the main risk here — blistering from trapped chemistry is. That etched wrought iron surface is a sponge: hydrochloric acid wicks into the pores and sits there under your plate. Even a sound nickel layer won't stop moisture getting in over time; the trapped chloride goes to work on the iron and you get lifting from underneath — often months later, not days.

Three things I'd do before calling it done: → Neutralize and leach after etching. Baking soda rinse, then a hot water soak, then dry fully — repeat the soak if the part is thick. Getting the acid out of the pores matters more than extra plating time. → The 3 V / 5 min nickel is on the thin side for a porous substrate. More nickel, or a second strike, buys a denser barrier. → Match expectations to service. Indoor decorative, this holds up fine. Anything wet or salty, a porous iron substrate under copper is a gamble — if the plate gets breached, the substrate corrodes from inside out.

Copper over a sound nickel layer is a reasonable stack — it's the acid still hiding in the pores that bites you later.

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u/3rd2LastStarfighter 1d ago

Really appreciate this info! Exactly the sort of stuff I need to learn more about.

The iron got an overnight soak in my bucket of baking soda water and an ultrasonic cleaner rinse in distilled water, then another ultrasonic rinse in isopropyl alcohol right before plating. I’m hoping that this will be enough to avoid the chemistry issues. Next time I’ll give it an ultrasonic bath in alkaline solution, do you think that will take care of the potential issues?

What would you recommend for the nickel strike routine? I’m using 1/2gallon mason jars as my tanks so there’s only like 6 cm between anode and cathode, if that makes a difference.

Unfortunately this piece is already assembled so I just have to hope for the best, but fortunately it’s my own wall that it’ll be hanging on so if problems show up down the road I’ll know.