How to Silver Plate With Electricity

Silver plated tea set

Silver plating is an inexpensive way to get the look of sterling silver without the expense. Most small metal objects can be silver plated with a rectifier. Small objects that are not metal can be silver plated if they are prepared with a complete coating of metal. Coating wax or plastic objects with silver is a way to create lightweight objects that look like silver.

Things You'll Need

• Acetone
• Electro-conductive paint (optional)
• Rectifier
• Alligator clips
• Electrolyte solution

Instructions

1. Clean the item you plan to silver plate with electricity. If the item is metal, clean it with a rag saturated with acetone. Rinse the item with water to remove traces of acetone. If the item is not metal, clean it with soap and water. Dry the item and then paint it with electro-conductive metal paint.

2. Attach the positive lead from your rectifier with alligator clips to the metal sheet that supplies the silver electroplating solution.

3. Attach the negative lead from the rectifier with another alligator clip to the object you are silver plating.

4. Submerge the object you want plated into a glass jar or beaker filled with electrolyte solution. The container must be deep enough and contain enough solution to accommodate the item you are silver plating. Check to be sure the object is suspended in the solution but does not touch the bottom or sides of the glass container.

5. Turn the rectifier on and set it pursuant the rectifier manufacturer's recommendations. The rectifier will activate a low voltage of direct current. Once the rectifier is activated, metal ions will flow through the solution and deposit silver onto the object you are plating.

6. Check the object being silver plated from time to time. Adjust the rectifier as needed until the silver plating is complete. Record the voltage and time required to electroplate for future reference.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase electro-conductive paint and electrolyte solution at specialized chemical supply companies.

• Take care when working with electricity to avoid electrical shock.

References

• "The Complete Metalsmith: Professional Edition"; Tim McCreight; 2005
• "Metalsmithing"; Robert Ebendorf, Michael Jerry, and Thomas Markusen; 1973
• "Jewelry: Fundamentals of Metalsmithing"; Tim McCreight; 1997
• "Jewelry Concepts and Technology"; Oppi Untracht; 1982
• "The Complete Book of Jewelry Making"; Carles Codina; 2006

Resources

• Caswell
• YouTube: RioGrande1944s Channel: Jewelry Making Videos
• Ganoksin