Homebrew PCBs

Ok I have just joined this group and was reading the various topics. 
One that has intrigued me was the plating through the circuit board 
hole method using carbon. I have wanted to do this for quite some 
time. I have experimented with a graphite spray that sells at 
Canadian tire, (I live in Edmonton Alberta Canada). I would pre drill 
the CB and then basically spray a puddle on the board and use a 
squeegee to fill all of the holes. Then use an air knife to clear the 
holes leaving a residue. Then let dry and sand the leftover graphite 
from the board. I would then electroplate with acetic acid (vinegar). 
However the issue was the length of time to plate. The graphite was 
suspended in a weak binder, perhaps a urethane or other type 
of "plastic coating". It seemed that only long times in the acetic 
acid bath would allow plating of copper onto the graphite. I am 
thinking that I should have used a strong sulfuric or hydrochloric to 
break down the surface layer and then plate. However I have not tried 
this yet. The carbon method mentioned here in the files section seems 
better so I would like to know, can I use crushed carbon for this 
method or perhaps using a candle's carbon to coat the holes as it is 
very difficult to get chemicals here in small quantities. Does anyone 
have any ideas as to how this could be done simply? I know it is a 
complex process using palladium or the other ones mentioned, hoverer 
I have the time to use a slow process and it would only be for hobby 
purposes.