Why's it that everyone seems to specify Electroless plating?

Seems like it would be more prone to the peeling objection that is sometimes made...

Why not good old Electro-Plating; perhaps even with a copper pre-plate?

I specified electroless on another thread only as I had exerience with it and liked the results. Nothing against electro plating at all....just no personal experience with it on firearms.

I did have some experience with electro lating making some bow stabilizers for Herters years ago. The product was pretty but the substrate demanded a near perfect finish to achieve a fine finished product. Electro plating is shiny and the electroless I had done was a matte finish at best.

I have been doing a little electro-plating with a beginner's kit on small pieces.

I was, previously, worried about peeling. But I do not see how electro-plate could, or would, ever peel.

It is a VERY thin plating - on the order of microns, I reckon - so your finish absolutely DOES NOT get "improved" by the electro-plating process.

Can't speak for electroless...?

That's why I'm asking!

The only thing that I have seen peel is electro nickel. E nickel has great protection and corrosion resistance. I believe you will find it is only a mil or 2 thick. E nickel does not cover poor prep work. It will show it up. E nickel being electroless. I have some shiney E nickel, but it took a lot of prep work.
Butch

Anyone know if there's a difference as far as plating in sharp corners or crevices?

I can see where that could be a decision-maker...?

Just talked to my plater. Electroless nickel is much better in threads, corners, and crevices. He can put it on from .0002-.002 thick. He highly recommends the electroless nickel on firearms. WWW.gleco.com
Butch

Butch,

Did he happen to mention the cause of peeling - like improper surface prep? I'd like to make sure to avoid peeling!!!

Scott said the Electroless just didn't peel, just the electro. He said they do 95% electroless now.
Butch

Surface prep is extrememly important in plating - chemically clean not just soap and water clean.
In electrolytic plating the speed and therefore the thickness of the plating is proportional to currant density. Outside corners have high currant desity holes have low currant density.Therefore plating on corners build up more an some holes don't even get plated !
Electrolytic nickel is just nickel. Electroless nickel is nickel + phosphorous.This gives it a darker grey color and it is harder and can be hardened even higher to about HRc 50.

I was impressed with this dude's at home results on a 1911.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/top...ml?b=6&f=19&t=285650