DIY zinc plating

[john_3.0s]

has anyone tried one of these kits for plating small parts like washers bolts etc? anyone know if you can get the kits to do the more authentic gold zinc like ford used to use?

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Zinc-Electroplating-Plating-Kit-for-Car-and-Bike-restoration-FREE-multimeter-/251486342155?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3a8dc10c0b#ht_3322wt_1399

[katana]

See Here ....... http://www.zink-nickel-kft.com/yellow-zinc-plating.html

 

I found a site selling complete zinc plating kits a couple of weeks ago for a poster - pretty sure the 'yellow' colour

is just a chemical dip at the end of the plating process as other colours are available!

[deltamal]

The yellow dip is to neutralize the zinc plate, it is available in clear, a sort of olive green and black. 

[john_3.0s]

thanks guys had a read up and see its the passivation that gives it the colour.

 

has anyone tried a DIY kit? im quite tempted to splash out for a few projects ive got on the go, jhas some bad experiences with platers loosing / damaging stuff in the past but interested to know whatt the finish is like on a DIY kit and how much hard work it is (im a lazy bugger)

[katana]

The secret to any plating operation is the prep - as they say 'crap in - crap out'. The chemicals are pretty much universal so its just the amount of power / current & heat you use that varies the time it takes. From what i've seen, an 'acceptable' finish can be had DIY but for 'show' stuff i'd go commercial IMO

[nickdanny]

We specialise in electroplating and tbh this kit is a waist of money

[john_3.0s]

We specialise in electroplating and tbh this kit is a waist of money

I'll take your word for that but then it begs the question what is different about a commercial plating outfit than the DIY kits other than the size obviously! Different chemicals? More power?

[deltamal]

Technique! the commercial platers have to produce top quality plating or it gets rejected by customers, can be pricey though, minimum order cost is usually around £30! I have to make sure I have a large quantity of items to send to make it worthwhile....

[john_3.0s]

Technique! the commercial platers have to produce top quality plating or it gets rejected by customers, can be pricey though, minimum order cost is usually around £30! I have to make sure I have a large quantity of items to send to make it worthwhile....

like all these things im sure there is technique and skill involved as well as the attention to detail in getting the surfaces perfectly clean and free from grease etc still think i might have ago and this just out of curiosity as much as anything else. wont buy a kit tho will see what i can knock up at home and get the chemicals in

[Danish]

If you look on YouTube for "PNO 922K", there's a restoration of a Mk3 Cortina which includes DIY zinc plating - Pete used a DIY kit, but ended up having to add a motor to move the water and a fish tank air pump and so on. The final results look good, but it wasn't as easy as buy a kit and go.

 

e.g.

 

[Lightweightsteve]

I use the gateros zinc plating kit and have to say that the results are pretty good if you put the time into the prep. Just don't expect quick results as the parts have to be cleaned, degreased, polished, plated, then dried for a good amount of time. I've had some great results though, but I did go for the more expensive kit with the fish tank pump agitator.

[katana]

One thing i'd say from the video - use a proper fish tank 6" air stone on the end of the air pump hose - you'll get better circulation and less 'witches cauldron' in the plating tank.

[4DOOR-SHERWOOD]

I used one of these kits and the result...poor in all fairness.

I had all my components blasted and did everything the kit instructions stated, it all looked ok but what a hassle and the finish does not last long before it started to oxidise again.

Best thing to do is take it all to the professionals and spend the money, I dropped a whole load off such as springs, catches, bolts etc and it cost less than £90!

Cheers Al