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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plating where nothing should plate | Insulation chipped/cracked | Visual under load | Tag rack for rebuild |
| Thickness low on good positions | Current leaking to leaks elsewhere | Position thickness map | Find and retire leaking rack |
| Bath slowly heating / amps drift up | Leak paths multiplying | Amps vs parts trend | Audit racks, not the rectifier |
| Burn marks at rack tips | Contacts arcing | Tip condition photos | Dress contacts, check springs |
| Recurring after one rebuild | Rebuild quality or tape grade | By-rack failure history | Standardise tape spec |
Recognise, record, escalate
| You see | You do | You never do |
|---|---|---|
| Plating on tape area | Photograph, tag rack number, report | Peel the plating off by hand in-tank |
| Cracked coating | Flag rack for rebuild | Wrap more tape over it mid-shift |
| Arcing at tips | Cut load, report | Tighten contacts while live |
| Any leak suspicion | Tank card entry with rack number | Wait to see if it gets worse |
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: racks carry live current in acid and alkaline baths. Lock-out before touching, insulate tools, and never straddle two tanks with a rack.
FAQ
Why is plating growing on the tape?
The insulation is cracked and conducting. Tag the rack — it will steal current from real parts.
Can I just add tape over it?
Mid-shift tape is not plating grade; flag for a proper rebuild.
What do I record?
Rack number, leak position, photo. The ledger schedules the rebuild.