Scope of this guide
Intermediate version: symptom-to-cause triage with the confirm-by column — find the variable, run one change, verify.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rough, gritty deposits | Bag burst: sludge bleeding | Bag inspection under load | Replace bag, polish filter |
| Anode current falls | Bags clogged / anodes passivated | Voltage vs amps trend | Clean or re-bag anodes |
| Nickel content drifts down | Anodes not dissolving | Daily metal titration | Check bag choke and anode area |
| Particles despite filter | Sludge already in bath | Filter ΔP + housing check | Full filter service; settle, syphon |
| Recurring after refill | Bad bag media or wrong size | Bag spec audit | Standardize bag spec per tank |
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: anode work means live bus bars and hot, chemical-soaked bags. Lock-out before touching baskets, drain and rinse bags outside the tank, gloves and shield throughout.
FAQ
Deposits rough but filter looks fine — where next?
Anode bags under load: sludge at a seam shows instantly; filters are downstream victims.
Why did nickel content drop?
Anodes choked or passivated: bag clogging, low anode area, or chloride off — titration trend tells which.
Bag spec — does it matter?
Weave and material are per bath; an improvised cloth either chokes current or passes sludge.