The type of water you use for the various processes is very important. There are different types of water that can be used. Below are some options:
Distilled Water: Purity for Optimal Results
Distilled water is one of the most commonly used types of water for metal surface treatments such as electroplating or chemical blackening. It is one of the purest forms of water, free of dissolved minerals, bacteria, and other contaminants. The high purity of distilled water makes it an excellent choice for the black oxide process, for example, to achieve consistent and uniform coatings. We use distilled water in all our products.
Demineralized Water
Demineralized water is water that has had its dissolved minerals removed through ion exchange or another process, making it a very pure option. Like distilled water, demineralized water can produce excellent results.
RO Water
RO water is a form of purified water by reverse osmosis that is produced by forcing water through a membrane to remove impurities. This is also a good option for various metal surface treatments.
Tap water in metal surface treatment
Tap water often contains dissolved minerals and impurities, such as calcium, magnesium, chlorine and fluorine. These substances can affect the black oxide process or electroplating process. In addition, the pH value of tap water can vary from region to region. This usually does not lead to major deviations, but it can affect the lifespan of the bath or the consistency of the color in the long run.
For hobby use or smaller applications, such as making a cold black oxide bath or diluting a simple patina, the use of tap water is usually not a problem and most users will not experience any direct adverse effects. The bath works normally and the results are often fine. However, it may be that a little more maintenance is required in the longer term or that small color differences or deposits occur.
For electrolytic processes such as zinc or copper electrolyte, it is important to always use distilled or demineralized water. In an electrolytic bath, conductivity and purity play a much greater role. Impurities from tap water can directly lead to bad deposits, discoloration or a shorter life of the bath.
For example, by making a rinsing bath from tap water, it is possible that residues of tap water are transferred to the next bath, for example an electroforming or galvanizing bath. This makes it possible to contaminate the bath with minerals and other impurities. This is of course minimal and there will not be any immediate problems, but if problems do arise, such as small spots or color difference, it is no longer possible to rule out the water as one of the causes.
For professional and long-term use, or when the highest quality is desired, we therefore always recommend distilled or demineralized water. This prevents minerals and impurities from accumulating in the bath and ensures the best and most consistent results.
If tap water is used anyway and problems arise, such as stains, uneven color or deposits, it is wise to switch to distilled water to rule out the possibility that the water is the cause.