Removing nickel plating?

[VanGoghComplex]

I've got a waterblock in which the nickel plating has begun to fail in some spots. I'm not averse to bare copper, and an considering trying to strip all the nickel off. Has anyone ever done this? What method did you use or advice can you give?

 

[Deleted member 278999]

I've got a waterblock in which the nickel plating has begun to fail in some spots. I'm not averse to bare copper, and an considering trying to strip all the nickel off. Has anyone ever done this? What method did you use or advice can you give?

Warranty or replace.

The cost of replating would probably cost you more than the block.

But hey, go for it.

Plate it at home. [H] or go home.

 

[VanGoghComplex]

Warranty or replace.

The cost of replating would probably cost you more than the block.

But hey, go for it.

Plate it at home. [H] or go home.

I'm not interested in replating, though. I'll I'm curious about is how to strip it.

 

[Zarathustra[H]]

Mechanically abrading it off would be way too difficult and probably damage all the small fins (depending on the design, I have no idea what block you are talking about)

You could try to intentionally electrically corrode off the nickel plating, but the problem you are going to have here is that it won't come off uniformly, so copper will be exposed in some places and not in others, and the copper is more anodic than the nickel, so once exposed it will corrode more quickly.

Honestly, in the factory if they detect a problem with the plating, I doubt they rework it. Just not worth the effort or cost. I'm going to guess that the same is probably true for you.

It's not impossible, but the amount of work that would go into it, and the uncertain results to come out of it in all likelyhood mean it would be way way way less costly and frustrating to just replace the block.

 

[Deleted member 278999]

I'm not interested in replating, though. I'll I'm curious about is how to strip it.

Acid. Lots of acid.

Good luck.

In all seriousness, this is done in an industrial setting for a reason. The chemicals involved are extremely dangerous and hazardous. You a smidgen of knowledge in metallurgy and chemistry as well as electrical is needed. That and lots of time.

Basically:

1. Place item in bath of highly caustic and corrosive chemicals.
2. Don't die
3. Positively charge item (anode)
4. Don't die
5. Negatively charge an attractant (cathode)
6. Dont die
7. Profit

Good luck.

 

[serpretetsky]

This thread might help you. They talk about bronze items coated in nickel, so I assume it should be simlilar to copper items coated in nickel. Like the posters above mention they use a combo of acids and electroplating techniques (or electroDeplating i guess).
https://******************/thread/19533/removal-of-electroplated-Nickel-from-steel-or-bronze

huh... link getting broken? K, let's try this:

https://
cr4.
globalspec.
com/
thread/19533/removal-of-electroplated-Nickel-from-steel-or-bronze

 

[leone]

Many years ago, I was attempting to clean soldering remnants from a newly assembled loop... using vinegar, with a nickel plated block and fittings (tsk, tsk).

I filled the system 50/50 with distilled water/vinegar, became distracted and completely forgot about it for a few hours. Upon return, the plating on the insides of all the fittings was completely dissolved to the bare copper, and the plating on my Alphacool block (original NexXos XP!) was in the process of doing the same.

You might have similar luck, though it will likely take a while.