Home >> Hobbies >> Other Hobbies

DIY Silver Interconnects

Interconnects are metallic cable clips that plug into audio or video inputs. Most interconnects are made of copper because the metal itself is cheap and conducts electricity well. Unfortunately, copper rusts and tarnishes faster than more-expensive interconnect materials, like silver. Electroplating allows an individual to make an inexpensive copper interconnect resemble a high-end silver interconnect using a specially formulated liquid solution and an electrical source. Knowing how to do this can upgrade the appearance of any audio or video cable without much cost.

Things You'll Need

Silver plating solution
Splash-proof safety goggles
Protective gloves
Beaker
9-volt power supply with alligator clips

Instructions

- 1
  Procure silver plating solution from a crafts shop or online electroplating kit retailer.
- 2
  Put on splash-proof safety goggles and protective gloves prior to handling the plating solution. This will prevent accidental eye or skin contact resulting from splashing or spilling.
- 3
  Fill the beaker with enough plating solution to fully submerse the interconnect. The beaker should also be wide enough to contain the piece of silver and interconnect without either object touching.
- 4
  Clip the positive-charged alligator clip to the silver and the negative-charged alligator clip to the interconnect. Set both objects inside the beaker. Ensure that the alligator clips are not touching and plug the power supply into the nearest outlet.
- 5
  Monitor the plating process by looking through the beaker or occasionally removing the interconnect from the solution and visually inspecting it. Plating is complete when the interconnect has assumed all the physical characteristics of the silver.

Other Hobbies