Scope of this guide
Junior version: what you will see, what you record, and what you never touch. Recognise early, escalate fast.
Series: finishing.com recurring questions answered with platingclub line practice. Parameters are industry-standard starting ranges — confirm against your supplier TDS.
Triage: symptom → confirm → first move
| Symptom | Likely root | Confirm by | First move |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dull/gray only on edges & points | CD above bright range | Position map vs amps | Cut amps in steps; map again |
| Dull everywhere, worse at high CD | Brightener exhausted or overdosed | Hull cell panel | Hull cell before dosing |
| Dull after bath cools | Temperature below window | Temp log overlay | Hold 50–60 °C Watts band |
| Dull + rough together | Solids on top of CD stress | Filter ΔP + bag check | Filtration first, then amps |
| Dull band follows rack family | Old rack contacts hogging current | By-rack amp compare | Retire/rebuild those racks |
Recognise, record, escalate
| You see | You do | You never do |
|---|---|---|
| Dull edges | Photograph, mark rack row, report | Re-dip parts in acid to 'clean' them |
| Dull after weekend | Note Friday's last additions | Double Monday's brightener |
| One rack family dull | Flag that rack by number | Swap racks without a note |
| Any pattern change | Tank card entry with time | Two adjustments at once |
Engineer notes
- One variable per corrective action; verify with the confirm-by column.
- Records beat memory: log every trial on the tank card.
- Two failed actions in a row is a senior call — escalate with your log.
Safety: nickel salts are skin sensitisers; hot acid solutions splash. Face shield at tank, nitrile gloves, eyewash in reach.
FAQ
Why do only the edges go dull?
Current crowds onto edges: high-CD zones leave the bright range first. Record the pattern; the fix is geometry or amps.
What do I write on the tank card?
Rack row, part family, tank temp, time. The pattern decides the fix.
Should I add brightener now?
Not on your own call — the Hull cell decides, one variable at a time.