Rinsing is the most repeated step in a plating line. Rinsing is conducted after each separate cleaning step and after plating and is susceptible to contamination from the previous process tank. Rinsing removes the film of process solution from the previous process tank.

Rinsing before plating ensures a clean substrate surface, and rinsing after plating removes plating solution. Rinse waters become contaminated with cleaning solutions, inorganic and organic soil from dirty parts, and metals and other compounds, such as cyanide, in the plating solution.