Short answer
Copper, silver, tin and zinc plate directly onto most metals except aluminum and chromium. Nickel, black nickel and chrome color need a copper base, so other metals get a copper flash first. Gold plates over gold, nickel or silver. Rhodium and palladium plate over nickel. Stainless steel needs its own degreaser, and aluminum is not supported.
Sequence by substrate
| Substrate | Degrease with | Underlayer before nickel, chrome color | Underlayer before gold, rhodium, palladium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | Absorbent (PL-1002) | None | Nickel |
| Brass | Absorbent (PL-1002) | Copper flash | Copper flash, then nickel |
| Steel | Absorbent (PL-1002) | Copper flash | Copper flash, then nickel |
| Zinc die-casting | Absorbent (PL-1002) | Copper flash | Copper flash, then nickel |
| Stainless steel | Stainless Degreaser (PL-1014) | Copper flash | Copper flash, then nickel |
| Nickel | Absorbent (PL-1002) | Copper flash (for chrome color) | None |
| Gold or silver | Absorbent (PL-1002) | Copper flash | None for gold; copper flash, then nickel for rhodium or palladium |
| Aluminum | Not supported | Not supported | Not supported |
The catalog recommends a copper flash on zinc die-castings and steel before any other plating.
Finishes that plate directly onto most metals
Copper, silver, tin and zinc plate over any metallic surface except aluminum and chromium. That makes the Copper pen the universal first layer: flash copper, and the part will accept nickel, chrome color and the rest of the sequence.
Finishes that need a base layer
- Nickel and black nickel: plate over copper; copper flash other metals first
- Chrome color: plates over copper; copper flash other metals first
- Gold 24K, 18K, 14K: plate over gold, nickel or silver
- Rhodium: plates over nickel; on other metals flash copper, then nickel
- Palladium: plates over nickel; on other metals flash copper, then nickel
Stainless steel and aluminum
The standard Absorbent / Degreaser pen does not work on stainless steel. Use the Stainless Steel Degreaser pen (PL-1014), which cleans and activates the surface, then continue with the normal sequence.
The Micro-Metallizer system is not applicable to aluminum surfaces. If you have an aluminum part, contact us before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
Can you brush plate stainless steel?
Yes. Clean and activate it with the Stainless Steel Degreaser pen (PL-1014) instead of the standard absorbent pen, then follow the normal sequence.
Can you brush plate aluminum?
Not with the Micro-Metallizer system. Contact Hunter Products to discuss aluminum parts.
What is a copper flash?
A thin copper layer plated first so the next metal has a compatible base. Nickel, black nickel, chrome color and rhodium need it on non-copper parts.
Can you plate gold onto steel?
Yes, with underlayers: degrease, copper flash, nickel, then gold. Gold plates over gold, nickel or silver, not directly onto steel.
Not sure which pens your part needs?
Tell us the substrate and the finish you need. The people who build the system will tell you the sequence.