ULTRA STRIKE ELECTROPLATING KITS

Ultra Strike is a somewhat revolutionary Plating procedure.

It allows you to electroplate metals that were previously unable to be plated successfully. Once plated with Ultra Strike your parts can then be plated with other decorative finishes such as Zinc, Nickel or Electroless Nickel etc.

The Ultra Strike Plating procedure is primarily used as a strike to enable a conductive surface to be applied to a non-conductive metal.  The Ultra Strike plating result is not designed as a finish plating coverage. It is designed as a strike only and a further finish of Nickel, Zinc etcetera is generally applied over the top of the Ultra Strike. Plating non-conductive surfaces can be problematic. Awkwardly shaped objects can prove difficult to prepare. Also, some pot metals can be high in carbon content. These potential issues may affect successful adhesion.

Ultra Strike is designed to plate directly onto steel, copper, brass, stainless steel, zincated aluminium, electroless nickel, nickel as well as die-cast zinc surfaces without a separate strike.

Ultra Strike is a non-cyanide alkaline copper plating. It produces a fine grained, smooth, dense and ductile copper plate that is used as a strike coating only. It is a liquid concentrate and comes to you in containers with various chemicals that are pre-mixed. The pre-mixed contents will need to be mixed with water at a ratio of 1 to 1.

The Ultra Strike electrolyte or chemical needs to be at an optimum temperature for successful plating. The ideal temperature is 40 to 55 degrees Celsius. This means you will need to heat your Ultra Strike chemical. The best way to achieve this is by placing your chemical into a stainless steel container and externally heating it with a naked flame. (Small gas portable camping stove is ideal). The temperature needs to stay within this range. A thermometer is included in the Kit to manage this.

Jane Kits have four stock sizes of Ultra Strike Kits available:

4 Litre Ultra Strike Kit

10 Litre Ultra Strike Kit

20 Litre Ultra Strike Kit

30 Litre Ultra Strike Kit

Although these are stock sizes, we will be happy to provide any other size you may require. If you wish to purchase a larger size than the stock sizes listed, please email your request to sales@janekits.com.au

Jane Kits also sell combination Kits, called DUAL and TRIPLE KITS, which combine multiple plating options together in a single Kit. These Kits provide a cost-effective option if you need to create more than one finish. See the Categories section on our Home page for more information and to order.

KIT CONTENTS

4 LITRE KIT

1 x Power supply – power supply and connecting leads.
1 x 2 Litre bottle Ultra Strike liquid chemicals pre-mixed in a plastic bottle (mix to water to create a 4 Litre plating bath)
1 x Pair copper anodes.
1 x Bag Metex M acid salts used for prior plate activating. (See table for mixing ratio).
3 x Aluminium pipes used as hanging pipes for anodes & job pieces to be plated.
1 x Bridge wire – Red electrical wire with red alligator clips attached at each end (used for bridging the two anode hanging pipes together).
1 x Copper wire roll – used to hang job pieces to be plated.
1 x Bundle of stainless nickel wire – used to hang anodes in the plating bath.
1 x LCD thermometer.
1 x Pair of gloves.
1 x bottle Clear Shield lacquer.
1 x Jane Kits plating manual.

The only items you need to add to successfully plate are:
* A plating container (Stainless steel or similar)
* Water for mixing your chemical in.

10 LITRE KIT

1 x Power supply – power supply and connecting leads.
1 x 5 Litre bottle Ultra Strike liquid chemicals pre-mixed in a plastic bottle (mix to water to create a 10 Litre plating bath)
2 x Pair copper anodes.
1 x Bag Metex M acid salts used for prior plate activating. (See table for mixing ratio).
3 x Aluminium pipes used as hanging pipes for anodes & job pieces to be plated.
1 x Bridge wire – Red electrical wire with red alligator clips attached at each end (used for bridging the two anode hanging pipes together).
2 x Copper wire roll – used to hang job pieces to be plated.
1 x Bundle of stainless nickel wire – used to hang anodes in the plating bath.
1 x LCD thermometer.
1 x Pair of gloves.
1 x bottle Clear Shield lacquer.
1 x Jane Kits plating manual.

The only items you need to add to successfully plate are:
* A plating container (Stainless steel or similar)
* Water for mixing your chemical in.

CLEANING & PREPARATION

With all Jane Kits products, the key to successful plating is in the preparation of the items to be plated. Parts must be chemically clean. In order to ensure that you get pleasing and consistent results, Jane Kits sell very efficient Cleaner Kits (see cleaners). Thorough cleaning is essential in the preparation of parts prior to electroplating.

CONTENTS

The Ultra Strike contents you receive will be in container/s. It has various chemicals mixed together and the entire contents should be mixed with water at a ratio of 1 to 1. Therefore, if you have ordered a 4 Litre mix, you will receive a 2 Litre bottle of chemicals that should be mixed with 2 Litres of water.

NOTE only use deionised, demineralised, distilled or rainwater to create your plating bath. Do not use tap water. It may have too many additives that will contaminate your bath.

COPPER ANODES

Copper anodes are supplied to be used in the Ultra Strike plating bath. The anodes are high grade flat bar type anodes and are drilled so as they can be hung on stainless wire in the bath. The Copper anodes hanging in the plating bath are the source of the copper metal that will be plated on to your work hanging in the plating electrolyte. The minute ions of copper metal are transferred on to the work in the bath by the system of electrolysis. The anodes are approx. 100 mm. x 40 mm.

For the 4 litre Ultra Strike Kit 2 anodes are supplied, 4 anodes are supplied for a 10 litre kit. Use them all and hang them either side of your plating. For larger kits, the number of anodes supplied depends on the size of the bath. The copper anodes are soluble to the copper electrolyte and must not be left in an idle bath when there is no plating taking place.

Attention must be paid to the cleanliness of copper anodes as they take on a film of salmon or black smut during the plating process. This film is normal; clean them between plating and at the commencement of a day’s plating.

Note Before attempting to plate your items first you have to activate in METEX M activator.

METEX M ACTIVATOR

METEX M is an acid salt that is mixed with water. Your parts have to be completely clean prior to this activation and is a process done immediately prior to the Ultra Strike Plating. After immersion in the Metex solution, a clean water rinse is required before placing into the bath.

PLATEABLE METALS

Ultra Strike is designed to plate directly onto steel, copper, brass, stainless steel, zincated aluminium, electroless nickel, nickel as well as die-cast zinc surfaces without a separate strike.

DISCLAIMER

JANE KITS do not accept any responsibility for any injuries or for any ill effects resulting from the careless or improper use of any of our products. No responsibility will be accepted for any injuries or for any ill effects or accidents resulting from the improper storage or lack of your safety markings on our products.

All products should be used with care and as per the instructions in this Plating Manual. All MSDS are available on request.

NOTE Care should be taken by the bath operator no matter what type of bath is being used. Avoid allowing chemicals to remain on your skin for long periods. Safety glasses and clothing that covers arms and legs should also be worn. A well-ventilated room is necessary and avoid inhaling fumes that are present during the plating or mixing processes. A suitable respirator is recommended.