Following is a Plating Troubleshooting Guide. First, click on the type of bath you are using, and then click on the problem(s) you are having. This will give you a list of possible causes.

CYANIDE ZINC

Overall Dullness
HCD Burning
Dull LCD
Mottled or Blotchy Deposit
Roughness
Brittle Deposits
Pitting
Blistering or Poor Adhesion
Poor Throw
No Plate
Poor Efficiency
Post-Plate Staining
Post-Storage Staining
Falling Zinc Level
Rising Zinc Level
High Additive Consumption

Overall dullness of a Cyanide Zinc Deposit could be an indication of:

• Low Brightener
• Poor Cleaning
• High Temperature
• Bath Contamination
• Insufficient Rinsing

HCD Burning of a Cyanide Zinc Deposit could be an indication of:

• Low Caustic Concentration
• Low Cyanide Concentration
• High Current
• Low Temperature
• Low Brightener
• Bath Contamination
• Arcing in Barrels
• Current too high in Electrocleaner

Dull LCD of a Cyanide Zinc Deposit could be an indication of:

• Low Purifier
• High or Low Temperature
• Low Brightener
• Low Caustic Concentration
• Metallic or Organic Contamination
• Electrical Problems

Mottled or Blotchy Cyanide Zinc Deposit could be an indication of:

• Bath Contamination
• Poor Cleaning

Roughness of a Cyanide Zinc Deposit could be an indication of:

• Poor Cleaning
• High Current
• Poor Filtration
• Magnetized Particles
• Anode Sludge
• Stray Current
• Acid Drag-In on Parts

Brittle Cyanide Zinc Deposits could be an indication of:

• High or Low Temperature
• High Brightener
• Low Cyanide to Zinc Ratio

Pitting of a Cyanide Zinc Deposit could be an indication of:

• High Brightener
• Organic Contamination
• Poor Filtration

Blisters or Poor Adhesion of a Cyanide Zinc Deposit could be an indication of:

• Poor Cleaning
• High Brightener
• Chromium or Lead Contamination
• Under or Over Pickling
• Metallurgical Characteristics
• Nitrate Contamination

Poor Throw in a Cyanide Zinc Solution could be an indication of:

• Poor Cleaning
• High Zinc Metal Concentration
• Low Brightener
• Low Current
• Low Cyanide Concentration
• Metallurgical Characteristics
• Acid Drag-In on Parts

No Plate from a Cyanide Zinc Solution could be an indication of:

• Low Temperature
• Electrical Problems
• Chromium or Lead Contamination
• High Cyanide to Zinc Ratio
• Over Pickling
• Metallurgical Characteristics

Poor Efficiency of a Cyanide Zinc Solution could be an indication of:

• Low Temperature
• Low Zinc Metal Concentration
• Low Caustic Concentration
• High Cyanide Concentration
• Electrical Problems
• Low Anode Area

Post-Plate Staining of a Cyanide Zinc Deposit could be an indication of:

• Insufficient Rinsing
• Metallic Contamination
• Bright Dip Contaminated
• Rinses Contaminated

Post-Storage Staining of a Cyanide Zinc Deposit could be an indication of:

• Insufficient Rinsing
• Metallic Contamination
• Improper Passivation
• Corrosive Environment
• Poor Drying and Handling

Falling Zinc Level in a Cyanide Zinc Solution could be an indication of:

• Low Caustic Concentration
• Low Cyanide Concentration
• Low Anode Area
• Anodes Polarized
• Anodes Filmed by Excess Purifier

Rising Zinc Level in a Cyanide Zinc Solution could be an indication of:

• High Caustic Concentration
• High Cyanide Concentration
• Too Much Anode Area
• Low Cathode Efficiency

High Additive Consumption in a Cyanide Zinc Solution could be an indication of:

• High Temperature