Tank plating is the oldest form of plating. A simple set-up would be a tank filled with the metallic solution made from the metal that you are using as your cover or coating over a metallic work piece. On one side of the tank you would hang your anode into the tank. The anode can sometimes be made out of the same metal as the solution. In that case the anode is considered a sacrificial anode as it dissolves in the solution replacing the metal that is used out. For instance if we were plating copper on a steel work piece, ideally the anode would be made out of pure copper. In some cases the anode is made out of another metal like stainless steel or carbon. Always check the instructions on the container of solution for the information on what anode to use with that solution. All reputable manufacturers will list the information for settings, temperature, length of time to plate and what anode to use.

On the other side of the tank we would hang our work piece with a copper or stainless steel wire. In small tanks the work piece should be about 3 or 4 inches away from the anode. We connect the positive wire from the rectifier or power supply to the lead on the anode. The negative wire from the rectifier is attached to the work piece. Your amperage or voltage setting should be printed on the label on the container that the chemical came in. Turn your machine on and set the knob on the rectifier to whatever setting is correct for the chemical and the size of the work piece.

As the negative charge attracts the positive, the process of electroplating takes place as metals in ionic form move from a positive to negative electrode. An electric current passing through the solution causes objects at the cathode or work piece to be coated by the metal in the solution. The longer the piece is left in the plating bath the thicker the coating of metal will form on the work piece.

After the desired thickness is achieved the work piece is rinsed off, dried and it is ready for use.

Tank Plating Kits can be found here.

Combination Tank and Brush plating kits can be found here.

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