Methods of manufacturing a hermetically sealed wet electrolytic capacitor and a hermetically sealed wet electrolytic capacitor are described. A method of manufacturing a wet electrolytic capacitor includes forming a cathode of the capacitor by forming a case comprising a metal substrate, the metal substrate having an alloyed surface, depositing a smooth film comprising palladium and copper as a tacking layer on the alloyed surface of the metal substrate, and depositing a rough, high surface area layer on the tacking layer to achieve a high capacitance cathode. A first terminal is electrically connected to the cathode. An anode is formed. A second terminal is electrically connected to the anode. An electrolytic solution is disposed within the case, and the case is hermetically sealed.