Copper Electroforming Solution Recipe The Ultimate Guide

Copper Electroforming Solution Recipe

Copper Electroforming Solution Recipe

In the first part of our ultimate guide on electroforming, we’ll be discussing a crucial part of the process, the electroforming solution!

What is copper electroforming solution, and is it safe to use?

We’ll be looking at recipes to make our own solution, and much more! Join us on our journey through the wonderful world of electroforming!

The answer to the question what is Copper Electroforming Solution Recipe

What is copper electroforming solution, and is it safe? Electroforming solution is the environment in which the copper coating takes place, it’s the blue liquid you use to fill the bath! It’s made of a mixture containing things like sulphuric acid, brightener, and copper sulfate. You can either buy electroforming solution commercially, or you can choose to make it yourself! Since it contains acidic chemicals, be sure to avoid eye and skin contact, and always wear protective gear when working with the solution!

In this article, we’ll go into more detail regarding the previously posed questions, and we’ll be looking at many different aspects of electroforming solution and how to make your own!

After reading, you’ll be an expert on the topic of electroforming solution, and you’ll be able to mix ingredients like a real magician to make your own!

So, what are you waiting for? Join us on our journey to discover the hidden wonders of electroforming!

What Is Copper Electroforming Solution?

As we’ve briefly covered in the introduction, electroforming solution forms the environment for the electroforming process to take place in.

The electroforming solution is an essential part of electroforming, without it none of these beautiful projects would be possible!

Therefore, it’s important to know how to work safely with the substance, but more on that later!

You can either buy premade commercial electroforming solution or, if you’re a little more advanced, you can choose to be a true alchemist and create your own.

Regardless of which option you choose, it’s important to take good care of your solution and handle it with the respect it deserves!

Is Copper Electroforming Solution Safe?

A question often associated with electroforming solution regards the safety of the product, is it safe to use?

The answer to this question is very dependant on your own safety precautions!

Electroforming solution is made using a substance known as Sulphuric Acid, as the name suggests this is not something you want to make direct contact with!

Sulphuric Acid can cause burns, and potential blindness if it came into direct contact with your eyes!

This makes it sound like electroforming solution is a horrible and dangerous substance, but believe it or not, you shouldn’t worry about it too much!

When you take the proper safety precautions, there’s nothing to worry about.

Be sure to wear protective gear, like gloves, masks, and protective eyewear when working with the solution.

Always work in a well-ventilated room to allow the fumes to exit without causing harm.

Finally, it should go without saying that you should keep your electroforming solution away from children or pets!

If you carefully follow the precautions mentioned here, and if you use your common sense, there’s nothing to worry about!

Please save this Pinterest pin on your board.

Copper Electroforming Solution Recipe | The Ultimate Guide
Copper Electroforming Solution Recipe | The Ultimate Guide

Where To Buy Copper Electroforming Solution?

If you opted to go with the commercially bought electroforming solution, you’ll be met with an overwhelming amount of different options out there for you to choose from!

In this paragraph, we’ll guide you through the options and show you the best places to buy your electroforming solution!

  • First off, we have this great deal by Enchanted Leaves, two 1L bottles of copper electroforming solution, and an electroforming tutorial booklet! You don’t want to miss this great deal, find it here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/672077982/copper-electroforming-solution-set-of?ref=shop_home_recs_1&frs=1
  • Secondly, we have a product made by a company called Rio Grande, Rio Grande is a well-known name in the electroforming world, and they always deliver the finest quality products, and their electroforming solution is no exception to this rule! It can be found here:

How To Store Your Copper Electroforming Solution?

Now that we’ve established where to buy our electroforming solution, we’re left with the next issue to tackle on our journey, and that is How do I store my electroforming solution?

You have to store your electroforming solution carefully, as contamination can damage the functionality of the chemicals, as always in electroforming, taking care proper care of your equipment is just as important as using it properly!

What precautions should you take to store your solution carefully?

First off, your electroforming solution should be stored in a cool place, and far away from any food or digestible items due to the potentially harmful fumes!

Electroforming solution should be kept in the original packaging, transferring it to other containers can damage both the functionality of the solution and that of the new container!

Finally, it’s important to always properly seal your electroforming solution to prevent any harmful fumes from escaping the bottle, or particles from entering the solution!

When following these rules your electroforming solution should last a long time, without issues!

How To Make Your Own Copper Electroforming Solution?

Now we’ve arrived at the exciting part, making our own electroforming solution!

We can unleash our inner chemist, and start mixing ingredients and measuring sizes, to create our very own personalized electroforming solution!

A quick disclaimer before we start, always comply with the previously mentioned safety precautions, you’ll be working with raw ingredients in this section, so you can never be too careful!

Furthermore, there’s no shame in not getting it right the first try, creating your own electroforming solution is a long, and tedious process that requires trial and error to obtain the required results!

So without further ado, let’s jump straight into making our very own electroforming solution!

Before we start, we’ll need to look at the material list, what will we need to get started on this adventure?

Everything you’ll need is listed below in a clear bullet point format! Copper Electroforming Solution Recipe | The Ultimate Guide

We’ll start with the complicated chemicals on our list first:

  • Copper Sulphate Pentahydrate -> Zep Root Kill (the USA Only)
  • 98% Sulphuric Acid -> Battery Acid contains 37% Sulphuric Acid so change 40mL to 130mL
  • Sodium Chloride or Hydrochloric Acid
  • Distilled Water -> ONLY distilled water, not tap or bottled water!
  • With the chemicals out of the way, let’s look at some more common items next:
  • A Scale -preferably a precise one as we’ll be measuring in milligrams
  • Measuring cups one in ounces and one in Milliliters
  • Sterile Syringes
  • Glass Stirring Rod or magnetic Stirrer
  • 1L HDPE Bottles -to contain the final result, be sure to have the safety caps!
  • A Funnel to pour the solution into 1L HDPE Bottles
  • 1000 ml / 1 liter Glass Beaker
  • Finally, and this can’t be stressed enough, you’ll need the regular safety equipment:
  • Safety goggles, mask, gloves

Now that we have everything we need, it’s time for the exciting bit, let’s get to the mixing!

Before we start though, be sure to wear your safety equipment! With the disclaimer out of the way, let’s get to the first step!

  • We are going to make 1 liter of electroforming solution, if you want more just multiply the amounts in this recipe by a factor, so if you want twice as much, just do everything times two!
  • Start by adding 1 liter distilled water, once again it MUST be distilled water not tap water, or else it won’t work, to your beaker, we do this to prevent dust and contamination of the solution later on in the process.
  • After that, we can start adding the chemicals to our solution,
  • first, add 200g / 7.05 ounces of the Copper Sulphate, or the Zep Root Kill if you’re from the US.
  • Now it’s time to start stirring, use your glass stirring rod and stir the Copper Sulphate, or the Zep Root Kill solution until everything is fully dissolved, and then it is properly mixed
  • Now add your Hydrochloric Acid, add just 0.05ml, or a drop, using your sterile syringe!
  • Now grab a fresh sterile syringe, and add 40ml / 1.352 US fluid oz of the 98% Sulphuric Acid, OR 135 mL/ 4.395 US Fluid oz of Battery Acid if you’re using that. Be careful when working with acid, and ALWAYS add acid to water, not the other way around!
  • With all the ingredients in, it’s time to start stirring, use your glass stirring rod and stir the solution until everything is fully dissolved, and the chemicals have properly mixed, be patient in this process as it might take a while, but it’s absolutely necessary!
  • Now it’s time to bottle your freshly made solution, use your funnel to pour it into the HDPE bottle, and be sure to use your safety cap! You can use any container for this, as long as it’s sturdy and Acid proof, materials like PP Plastic-type #5 or HDPE plastic type #2 are perfect!
  • To finalize our creation, add a few drops of Rio Grande Midas or Caswell part B brightener to the solution, and voila!

Obviously, this is the ideal situation, when doing it for yourself, you’ll find that there’s a lot more trial and error involved in the process!

The bath you create using this electroforming solution should last for at least two years if you take the appropriate care, which we’ll discuss in the next paragraph!

Can You Reuse Electroforming Solution?

After making your own electroforming solution, the next thing to think about is, can I reuse my electroforming solution?

The answer to that question is totally dependent on the results you’re looking for, if you’re aiming for a smooth and shiny finish we recommend changing your solution more often, but if you’re looking for a granular, coral-like finish, you’re better of leaving it a little dirty!

For the best result, we’re looking to avoid contamination of your electroforming bath.

We do this by filtering our electroforming solution when we see the results declining in quality, when even filtration fails to bring the results back up to the wanted level, it’s time to refresh the electroforming solution.

So, in short, yes you can reuse the electroforming solution, but it’ll impact the results!

How To Dispose Of Your Copper Electroforming Solution?

When the time comes to refresh your electroforming solution, you won’t be able to just flush it down the drain!

This is illegal in most countries, as electroforming solution contains harmful chemicals such as Sulphuric Acid.

First, you should neutralize your electroforming solution with baking soda, after that, you can deposit your used solution at your local hazardous waste company.

It’s recommended to keep the solution in the original bottle when doing so, as you want to prevent any potential leaks!

Final Thoughts For Copper Electroforming Solution Recipe

So, all in all, there are many aspects to finding and using the perfect electroforming solution.

There are advantages and disadvantages to making it yourself, but there’s no denying that copper electroforming solution forms the core of the electroforming process, and using it properly is key to obtaining desirable results!

This article the Copper Electroforming Solution Recipe. has taught you everything you need to know about copper electroforming solution, and it answered many questions, such as What is electroforming solution?

Thank you for reading and join us on our journey through the ultimate guide to electroforming!

Electroforming: The Ultimate Guide Check It Out!

Sources in MLA Format:

*, Name. “Electroforming Solution: Should You Buy It Or Make It?” Electroforming Artist, 21 June 2020, electroformingartist.com/electroforming-solution/#:~:text=The%20electroforming%20solution%20is%20the,plate%20copper%20onto%20conductive%20objects.&text=This%20solution%20is%20made%20with,use%20or%20make%20it%20yourself.

“Copper Electroforming Solution Set of TWO 1 Liter Bottles.” Etsy, www.etsy.com/listing/672077982/copper-electroforming-solution-set-of?ref=shop_home_recs_1&frs=1.

“Electroforming Resources for Aspiring Artists.” Enchanted Leaves, enchantedleaves.com/pages/electroforming-resources-for-aspiring-artists.

“Midas Bright Copper Electroforming Solution.” Rio Grande, www.riogrande.com/product/midas-bright-copper-electroforming-solution/335074.

“Recipe for Electroforming (Copper) – Lampwork Etc.” Lampwork Etc RSS, www.lampworketc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=272849.

Michael

Similar Posts