Spot gold platiing on pc boards

[GizmoWizard]

Spot gold plating on pc boards

I'm looking for a practical way to add a layer of gold on homemade pc board traces that are used as part of switches with the "pill" buttons on a rubber keypad.

The Plug n Plate electroplating type systems would work well except that the gold solution has a shelf life of only 4 months. I don't make enough pc boards that require gold plating within the span of 4 months to justify the cost.

Does anybody have experience with this? Another way to plate, or another method to keep the copper from oxidizing?

Thanks

 

[jrz126]

could you just put a light layer of solder over it? that should keep it from oxidizing

 

[Tarsil]

I'm looking for a practical way to add a layer of gold on homemade pc board traces that are used as part of switches with the "pill" buttons on a rubber keypad.

The Plug n Plate electroplating type systems would work well except that the gold solution has a shelf life of only 4 months. I don't make enough pc boards that require gold plating within the span of 4 months to justify the cost.

Does anybody have experience with this? Another way to plate, or another method to keep the copper from oxidizing?

Thanks

Gold ? How about silver. The silver nitrate is much cheaper and has a longer shelf life. Dont't buy it from Merk or so and check if the silver nitrate isn't on the "whatched chemicals" list in your country.
Also Ni is a solution for plating and u can use diferent Ni salts.

 

[HarveyH42]

How much does 'lead-free' solder oxidize anyway? Pure tin stays clean and shiny.

 

[Hero999]

Gold plating is only required where you need good quality low. Rubber pad switches have a very high resistance so gold plating the PCB is a waste of time.

 

[GizmoWizard]

Thanks for your info and ideas!