i found this in a website http://woelen.scheikunde.net/science/chem/exps/copper+zinc/index.htmlbut cant figure out how to do it. One question is what is a "spatula full" i tryed googling it but nothing and i dont think they mean a large spatula. Also i did not heat it up to much (dont have a glass beaker yet) but i would say it is 80F ish. Any idias? thanks

Being a certified electroplater I think I can help you and I still seem to remember a little chemistry. Spatulas held relatively small amounts of materials, maybe .10 - .20 grams. But I think the point is that it doesn't require much zinc oxide for this to work on a small scale.

 

As I recall, a good working alkaline zincate bath needs only 80-100 grams/liter of zinc oxide added to 400-500 grams/liter sodium hydroxide to deposit fairly efficiently. Heating the bath probably accelerates the zinc reduction on the copper coin, but at 25°C, the reaction should be immediate.

 

Hope that helps.

when chemistry sites say 'a spatula full' they are NOT talking about kitchen spatulas. its a very very small amount maybe a a half gram at maximum. the guy who created that site is a member here under the name of woelen. i'm sure he won't mind a private message about it.