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BRIGHT NICKEL PLATING RECIPE FOR LOW CURRENT DENSITIES (0.1-0.5 A/dm2)
Modification: Watts Base + Saccharin + Formalin + Surfactant (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate)
RECALCULATION FOR TOTAL ELECTROLYTE VOLUME: 6 LITERS
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1. PREPARATION OF STOCK SOLUTIONS FOR ACCURATE DOSING

Solution A: Formalin Stock Solution (1:50 Dilution)
* Attention: For 6 liters of electrolyte, the standard 100 mL of stock solution
 will not be enough. Prepare a triple volume right away.
* Take 6 mL of commercial 37% formalin.
* Add 294 mL of distilled water.
* Mix thoroughly. This yields 300 mL of Stock Solution A.
* To prepare 6 liters of electrolyte, measure out exactly 240 mL from here.

Solution B: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) Surfactant Stock Solution (10 g/L)
* Weigh out exactly 1.0 g of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).
* Dissolve it in 100 mL of warm (40-50 °C) distilled water.
* Stir gently, avoiding heavy foaming.
* This yields 100 mL of Stock Solution B.
* To prepare 6 liters of electrolyte, measure out exactly 90 mL from here.


2. ELECTROLYTE COMPOSITION (Calculated for 6 liters of ready solution)

* Nickel sulfate (NiSO4 * 7H2O)  ------- 1080 g (1.08 kg)
* Nickel chloride (NiCl2 * 6H2O)  -------- 270 g
* Boric acid (H3BO3) -------------- 210 g
* Saccharin (sodium salt) ------------- 12.0 g
* Formalin stock solution (1:50) ---- 240 mL
* SLS surfactant stock solution (Solution B) -- 90 mL (equivalent to 0.9 g of pure surfactant)
* Distilled water ---------------- up to a total volume of 6 liters


3. OPERATING MODE AND PARAMETERS

* Current density (Ic) ------------------ 0.1 - 0.5 A/dm2
* Operating temperature ------------------ 20 - 30 °C (room temperature)
* Acidity (pH) --------------------- 4.0 - 4.5
* Anodes -------------------------------- Nickel (NPA-1 grade), in anode bags
* Agitation ------------------------ Gentle rocking of the part only
* Deposition rate ------------------- ~1.5-2.0 µm per hour (at 0.2 A/dm2)


4. PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR 6 LITERS

Step 1. Pour distilled water into the container (about 60% of the volume,
      approx. 3.6 liters) and heat it to 60-70 °C.
Step 2. Dissolve nickel sulfate (1080 g), nickel chloride (270 g), and
      boric acid (210 g) one by one. Add each component only after
      the previous one is completely dissolved.
Step 3. Allow the solution to cool to below 40 °C.
Step 4. Dissolve 12.0 g of saccharin in 150-200 mL of warm water and pour into
      the main solution while stirring.
Step 5. Filter the electrolyte through a dense filter (cotton wool or paper).
      Filtration is strictly required BEFORE adding the surfactant, otherwise the filter will clog with foam.
Step 6. Use a graduated cylinder or syringe to measure 240 mL of the prepared
      formalin stock solution (Solution A) and add it to the electrolyte.
Step 7. Measure 90 mL of the SLS surfactant stock solution (Solution B) and slowly,
      without sudden movements, add it to the electrolyte.
Step 8. Top up with distilled water to the final 6-liter mark and stir gently.


5. IMPORTANT TECHNICAL NOTES FOR A 6-LITER VOLUME

* Foam Control:
 Do not exceed the dosage of Stock Solution B (90 mL). An excess of surfactant will cause
 heavy, stable foam that will fill the entire 6-liter bath.
* pH Adjustment:
 At low currents, the pH can rise quickly, causing the nickel to become cloudy. If
 brightness is lost, add a 10% sulfuric acid (H2SO4) solution dropwise
 to bring the pH back into the 4.0-4.5 range.
* Agitation:
 Intense air sparging (air agitation) is forbidden. Use only slow mechanical
 rocking of the cathode bar.
* In-process Replenishment:
 Formalin evaporates over time. Every 4-5 hours of continuous electrolysis,
 add 60-90 mL of formalin stock solution (Solution A) for the entire
 bath volume (6 liters). Surfactant drag-out is minimal; it is replenished (by 12-18 mL
 of Solution B) only when the first signs of pinhole pitting appear.
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Wow, great work. But it would have been better if you listed the ingredients in grams/litres or ml/litters.

If we already knew the process we wouldn’t need to watch, so why not give some actual instructions, instead of modeling the materials like it’s a game show?

What was that big plate where u have connected the positive??

Thank you for your creativity! I love watching your videos! They’re informative, without any unnecessary information. Your work should be included in educational programs!) So that children become interested in science! Greetings from St. Petersburg!

Cool video - Going to have to give this a try - subscribed
Here the list from the video (best I can tell - Please VERIFY it yourself and leave a comment if any errors)
Mix the following ingredients into a plastic container:
   180g        NiSO₄       Nickel sulfate        
   45g           NiCl₂        Nickel chloride (common hexahydrate form (NiCl₂ ⋅ 6H₂O)
   1 L.           Water
   Mix and use all                                    
   -------
   100ml      Water                                    
   1ml          Surfactant Sodium Lauryl Sulfate    SLS    
   Mix and use 15ml    
   -------
   100ml      Water    
   2ml          Sodium saccharinate
   Mix and use all        
   -------
   100ml    Water    
   2ml         Formalin 37%
   Mix and use 40ml
   -------
   45g         Boric acid
   200ml    Water    
   Mix and use all
   -------
   Block of Graphite
   
Step 1:    Using a wire, place the item into glass jar with 1 L. of H₂SO₄ Sulfuric acid 10%
                Be VERY careful - Use gloves and eye protection
Step 2:    Remove from the Sulfuric acid and rinse in water
Step 3:    Dry off (not sure if needed, shown in the video)
Step 4:    Connect Positive clamp to the Graphite Anode block (7v, .4 amp ??)
Step 5:     Connect Negative clamp to an electrical wire and then to the item
                (Need current to flow between the Negative clamp through the item, through the bath and then to the Positive clamp)
Step 6:    Dip the item into the bath keeping it suspended and keep it moving (not sure how long?)
Step 7:     Remove the item (Rinse? Not sure?)
Please leave a comment if this works for you (no affiliation with the channel)

Would have been quicker to provide a list of ingredients that were NOT in your solution.

What is that giant sheet of cathode(or maybe it was anode) material you are using in the side of the tank?

my house explode!!!!!

That was very clear except what was the electrode plate you used please?

I've already ordered all the necessary reagents and will soon be running the experiment according to your recipe.😊 The only difference is that I'll be using a nickel plate instead of a graphite anode.

Very good. Thanks..😊

das Ganze ist zu langatmig

IMPORTANT TECHNOLOGICAL NOTES

* The role of surfactants (Sodium Lauryl sulfate):
 Reduces surface tension. Hydrogen bubbles do not stick to the cathode,
 this completely eliminates pitting (small pores and shells) on mirror nickel.
* Control of foaming:
Do not exceed the dosage of the mother liquor B. Excess surfactants will cause copious
, stable foam, which interferes with visual control of the process.
* Advantage of masterbatch solutions:
The introduction of microdoses of formalin and surfactants directly in dry/concentrated form
 it often leads to errors. Masterbatch solutions guarantee pharmacy accuracy.
* pH adjustment:
 At low currents, the pH can rise rapidly, which causes nickel to become cloudy. If
gloss is lost, add drop by drop a 10% solution of sulfuric acid (H2SO4)
to return the pH to the range of 4.0-4.5.
* Stirring:
Intensive air bubbling is prohibited. Due to the surfactants, it will turn
the bath into a mountain of foam, as well as blow out additives from the supply zone. Use
 only a slow mechanical rocking of the suspension.
* Adjustments along the way:
 The formalin evaporates. Every 4-5 hours of continuous electrolysis
 add 10-15 ml of formalin masterbatch for each liter of electrolyte.
 The surfactant is carried away with the details minimally, it is adjusted (2-3 ml of royal jelly
 solution B) only when the first signs of spot pitting appear.

How is the Volts and Amps calculated?  Does it vary by surface area of the part(s) being electroplated?  Is there a formula or rule of thumb?

Les traductions très appréciées. Quelle est la plaque que tu a brancher au positifs

Thanks for your effort. Great info. What did you used for (+) ?

Thankyou Sir next
Copper strike Show me?

Thanks for writing the names of the used chemicals in different languages! Many greetings from Germany.

For years I have looked up Electro-chemistry/Elecro-plating and never found this channel. Hidden treasure trove of amazing information.
Wish I could show my respect for you.