water will usually not have ph 4.1, clean water has usually more.
the water must be clean, the water ph is not important, maybe can anybody say here, how much ph ultraclean water has?
the nickel sulfamate solution must have 4.0, 4.1 is no problem, also not 4.2, between 3.8 and 4.2 is good.
best way is, to go to your local galvanic supplier, and ask for the charakteristics of the sulfamate, and how you
have to mix it first.
the solution change his composition every time, it is also a difference, if you plate every day, or let´s say just one day a week.
when you shut off the bath, the temperature goes down, and the boric acid starts to crystalize.
so, most platers let the bath running night and day, also over the weekend.
you have also to think about evaporation of water, which can be a lot most with high temperature baths,
so keep your liquid level tight. it is also needed, to analye the bath from time to time, to know, what´s going on.
please read all the infos written here from chris moss, you can also find the informations in galvanic books (not for vinyl records)
all the best!
DIY Plating Station
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