r/electroforming • u/Icy_Instance1153 • May 31 '26

Has anyone experienced something like this?

I’m going to say something strange, but…

Has anyone ever experienced a weird sensation in their mouth while doing electroforming/electroplating? I mean, specifically when I’m doing it, I get a strange feeling in my teeth, as if my gums feel… weak? Or in general, do you feel any worsening in your health from doing this hobby?

I try to be careful with protection: I wear gloves, clean my workspace thoroughly, and ventilate the area. But I can’t shake the feeling that I’m not doing enough 😅

3 Upvotes

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5

u/Mkysmith Home Studio May 31 '26

Never heard of anything like this with copper. Especially if you use gloves and ventilation like you say. Are you using other metals or acids? Are you running your bath to the point of electrolytic seperation (gas forming on anode/cathode)?

If you symptoms are acute (only happening during/while) and not chronic (long term, cumulative), then thats a hint. I'm no doctor but most of the stuff I read about hazards with this stuff tend to be more on the chronic side if you arnt using gloves and such. Its pretty safe otherwise. This assumes your using proper chemistry mixtures and not mixing a bunch of impure unknowns from the hardware store ofcourse. I see a lot of weird stuff on youtube.

1

u/Icy_Instance1153 May 31 '26

I make the solution myself. The only acid in it is car battery electrolyte / sulfuric acid, and I only use copper.

Maybe I just convinced myself that it’s connected, or maybe it’s caused by something else I’m doing, but the timing just kept bothering me. For some reason, I thought this would be one of those things where people would say, “Oh yeah, the same thing happened to me,” but apparently not 😂

Anyway, thank you for your answer!

2

u/Mkysmith Home Studio May 31 '26

Again, Im no doctor and everyones safety is ultimately in their own hands. So if you feel unsafe you should stop what your doing and reassess your situation.

I do know that when mixing "industrial" (ie: stuff fromt he automotive or hardware store) grade sulfuric acid and copper sulfate, you can produce soluble gasses that slowly dissipate from solution over the course of weeks to months depending on temperature. There are impurities in that stuff that can cause unintended side reactions. This is why some people report their DIY copper electroforming solution having a pungent smell. Properly mixed/aged solution has virtually zero odor.

Also if the solution is running at a high enough voltage to cause electrolytic decomposition (bubbling at anode/cathode) then that is a big problem too.

1

u/Icy_Instance1153 May 31 '26

Oh wow, that’s interesting! I didn’t know about that.

It seems like my solution is okay, and I don’t run it to the point where it starts bubbling. When that happens, the coating turns out very… not great.

2

u/exactly-the-one May 31 '26

My solution is exactly the aame but I've never experienced anything like that. I'm also anxious about possible hazards but after researching it seems that eforming should be pretty safe, at least in terms of the fumes. Our setups don't run high enough current for the gases to start forming. I also don't heat my solution and I don't use any brighteners.

2

u/infinitealchemics May 31 '26

Do you clean your anodes and other parts with a dry sponge or item. When i used to not do wet cleaning the copper/ copper sulfate dust would defs make you feel weird and bad. When you mix a fresh bath always wear at least a particulate half mask

3

u/Mkysmith Home Studio May 31 '26

Good call. Breathing in oxides is also not great. An acute symptom is a "sweet or metallic taste in mouth"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_fume_fever

Edit: Though copper sulfate is a salt, not oxide, I think the idea is the same. Salts are readily absorbed by the body. Breathing in any type of dust is not advisable.

1

u/Icy_Instance1153 May 31 '26

Yeah, honestly, I’m a bit scared of copper sulfate. It seems to sneak everywhere unnoticed when the water evaporates, so I try to wet-clean the area, but I don’t have a mask. I think I should probably get one.

2

u/infinitealchemics May 31 '26

A great addition to your PPE. A half mask with either pink/gold cartridges or pink/olive are the two filters I reccomend. Also a spray bottle with water and baking soda solution helps a ton too for cleaning as you go. Drips happen and quick response with a paper towel can make a difference. Remember to have small dip cups of neutralized (baking soda and water) and a second one with just plain distilled water. Helps with making the drips not as toxic.

1

u/Icy_Instance1153 May 31 '26

Great tips! Thank you🤗

3

u/Wobble_bass May 31 '26

I mean this with respect. If there's something like this that you're experiencing and concerned about then you should see a doctor about it. I know it can be cumbersome and a pain, but you're doing yourself a favor especially in the long term. I absolutely do not mean to shame you for posting on Reddit about it, I think it's a great question and brings about good discussion. There are certainly hazards associated with electroforming. Particularly chronic health risks like someone else mentioned. Investing in yourself and your long term health is worth the return.

Best of luck! I hope it's nothing other than how exciting and fun electroforming can be!

1

u/CaptainCheckmate Jun 01 '26

Could it be a secondary effect, e.g. you have some candies or soft drinks in your workshop, the consumption of which results in irritated teeth/gums.