Model Building Electroforming Kit Copper

Model Building Electroforming Kit Copper – Self Plastic Copper Plating

All 2 liter kits are now delivered as a 3 liter kit!
From now on, you get 3 liters of electrolyte instead of 2 liters as standard – for the same price!
That means a bigger pool, more workspace, and more options for your projects.
(each 3 liter kit comes with a larger 3.8 liter bucket + 1 extra liter electrolyte)

With the Verzinkshop Modelbouw Electroforming Kit you get everything you need to provide construction kits, model trains, miniatures and other plastic parts with an even, shiny copper layer. Copper plating plastic and plastic items, or other non-conductive objects, is easy with this complete kit. After applying a conductive coating, you can copper plate parts and, if desired, finish them with a layer of nickel, chrome or another metal. Think of model rims in black chrome or nickel, engine blocks and bumpers with a sleek chrome look for a professional finish.

Plastic and plastic copper plating for model making and miniatures

With electroforming, you give model building parts made of plastic a strong, conductive copper layer that forms tightly around details. Think of the copper-plating of rims, exhausts, bumpers, grilles and mirrors of model cars or motorcycles. Engine blocks, valve covers, radiators and roll cages also get a realistic metal look. Plastic copper-plating with the electroforming process is also widely used for army vehicles such as tanks and ships. You can then patinate this copper finish or finish it with another metal.

What is the difference between the Verzinkshop electroforming kits?

All electroforming kits have the same basic content, with the exception of the conductive coatings and sealers. These differ per kit so that you use the right conductive coating for your material. You are free to test conductive coatings and sealers on a variety of objects and materials. You are not bound by what is in the title or description.

Included in this kit

The Verzinkshop Modeling Electroforming Kit contains (choose a variation for details):

• Bucket
• Verzinkshop V-Brite 200 acid copper electrolyte
• Electrolyte copper brightener V-Brite X with dosing syringe
• 2 × Verzinkshop copper anode
• 2 × anode filter cloth
• Connection cable for the anodes
• Circulation pump
• Nylon rod with clamps for hanging objects
• 2 meters of 0.5mm copper wire
• 2 meters of 0.25mm copper wire
• 2 × 20 cm copper wire 2 mm for hanging anodes
• 2 x 3D PCB Test Plate
• 2 meters nylon thread to weigh down objects
• Brushes for the conductive paint
• Stirrers for the conductive paint
• About 10 connecting rings copper
• About 10 eye pins copper
• Fine sanding sheet
• Liquid filters for filtering contaminated electrolyte
• Baking soda for neutralization plus bucket
• Gloves
• Clear manual
• Optional lab power supply can be ordered
  • 5 amps with 3 liter kits
  • 10 amps with 6 and 12 liter kits

Supplied conductive paint

• Verzinkshop Conserve 3D conductive and preservative graphite sealer for high details. This solvent-based paint is ideal for submerging parts with many details or difficult shapes and providing a waterproof conductive layer that dries quickly.
• Graphit 33 conductive graphite spray for a very thin conductive layer with high detailing and flat finish. Very suitable for applying an even conductive coating to smooth surfaces.

Other electroforming materials, such as copper wire and more, can be found in electroforming accessories.

Advantages of the Model Building Electroforming Kit

• Quickly apply a clear copper layer to plastic and other non-porous materials
• Suitable for many other materials such as stone, glass and wood. For very soft and porous material, first apply the Electroforming Sealer
• Good adhesive layer for e.g. zinc, nickel or chrome
• Suitable for home use
• Easy to set up and use

Properties of the V-Brite 200 acid copper electrolyte

• Works on conductive paint, brass, copper and nickel
• V-Brite 200 is very suitable for copper-plating plastic – the copper layer is soft and flexible
• In combination with V-Brite X, ensures a constant, clear copper layer
• Works at room temperature
• Applies a thin, lustrous layer of copper that retains fine details
• Works between 0.1 and 0.3 amps per 10 cm². Guide value 0.2 amps per 10 cm²
• The copper comes from the anodes. Replace these when they are used up
• Long shelf life with proper maintenance
• Contains no cyanides

Copper-plating plastic and other plastics – step-by-step plan

1. Prepare the copper bath as described in the manual
2. Treat the object to be copper-plated with a conductive paint and let it dry thoroughly
3. Hang two copper anodes in the bath and connect them to the red plus of the power supply
4. Place the nylon rod on the bucket and hang the conductive object with copper wire in the electrolyte
5. Connect the black minus of the power supply to the object and make sure that plus and minus do not touch each other
6. Set the power supply to 0.2 amps per 10 cm² of workpiece area and start the process
7. Check periodically and stop when the desired layer thickness is reached. The time depends on surface, current density and desired thickness

Various finishing options

You can finish the copper with a patina for an aged look. You can also apply follow-up layers on top of it, such as nickel, chrome, bronze , and more.

Finishing your electroforming project with a sealer

To stop natural discoloration due to patina or to protect the object, you can apply a sealer. You can use an oil-based sealer such as Verzinkshop DeepSeal Sealer or the Electroforming Acrylic Sealer. Without a sealer, copper will naturally patinate and further discolor.

Electropolishing fluid for copper electroforming objects

Have objects come out of the bath dull or a dark oxide layer has formed? Look at our electropolishing liquid for a quick, clear finish.