Reverse plating problem any suggestions?

Ive been reverse plating hardwear for years with no issues till now.
The steel plate I use at the negative end is reacting with the hydrochloric acid (muratic in USA) even without any current passing through, it is fizzing as if its reacting with a positive, although nothing is connected. I used another plate and even changed to new acid with the same result. The only thing I can think is that its a hot day (75f thats hot in england) and that has something to do with it but i never found this before. Any solutions much appreciated.

We call it hydrochloric acid over here, too. Muriatic acid is an old term, hardly ever used.
I'm a little confused here... sticking a piece of steel into a fairly strong HCl solution is going to liberate some gas bubbles. I'm surprised that this is the first time you've seen it happen. Did you change the cathode recently? Perhaps it was stainless steel before, which wouldn't react, and you are now using another type of steel alloy that happens to be reactive? Or you were using a weaker HCl solution before, which didn't react strongly with the steel and now you are using a stronger solution...

Its 28% acid, the strength I always use, the steel plate was never stainless and its never been a problem. the plate never reacts with the acid without a current going through it (until today). The negative end is attached to the plate and the positive end attaches to the parts you want to reverse the chrome on. Its a very simple idea, im totally lost as to why the plate is reacting (these are not a few bubbles, its really agressive) and thats without any wires attached.

Is it in the same container as always? You haven't changed to a metal container or one that could have metal in it?

Most likely an issue with how it was originally plated. Is the plate a brass plate?

Guy
:-)

Is it in the same container as always? You haven't changed to a metal container or one that could have metal in it?

Most likely an issue with how it was originally plated. Is the plate a brass plate?

Guy
:-)

Yes same container a hollowed out car battery, the plate is steel but I have used copper in the past, it does the same thing.