Zinc Plating (2011)

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I have just zinc plated lots of parts with teh Eastwood zinc plating kit. $69.00 & free shipping.

Very simple & actually fun to do. You'll be looking for things to plate (seriously!!).

Check the video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0oUeQd1bus

Have fun!
Stephen
 
Cool, I wonder if it would stand up to a buffer instead of hand polishing? Do they say how many sq. in. it plates for $70.

Dave
69S
 
1up3down said:
Cool!

But what parts on our Commandos would be good candidates for this?

Pretty much all the nuts and bolts, as well as any other parts that were cad plated when new. I've used the Eastwood tin-zinc kit to plate a lot of nuts and bolts, as well as some other odds and ends, and the final result looks very much like bright cad. I don't think it is as good as cad for long term corrosion resistance, but it's pretty good, and the price is right. I've also used their copper plating kit, and it's just as simple to use.

Ken
 
I used the Eastwood system a couple of years ago. No big problems but the system is really not sized to plate the hardware for an entire motorcycle restoration. Last year I purchased a CopyCad system from CASWELL

http://www.caswellplating.com/

Not only are their chemicals and anodes of high quality, they oversee a plating forum where there are many plating professionals and restorers who answer your questions. Their instruction manual is more like a textbook with a wealth of information.

Based on my experience I would also get their clear chromate solution to preserve the bright zinc plating. Also purchase a good regulated power supply (3 amperes minimum). It is key to calculate the surface area and adjust the current accordingly (0.14 amperes/ square inch). Ebay has many options for power supply, it is hard to regulate the current from a battery.

Team FASTLIKEJUDY
 
I have found the Eastwood kit to be great for small parts. That's really what it is intended for. It will quickly pay for itself.

Whether the finish will stand buffing on a wheel depends on the time in solution (read: thickness). But, the dull zinc finish will clean to a shine with fine steel wool. I found the rubbing paste to be a bit labour intensive, but compound can bring the finish to a bright shine.

For example, I plated a set of Yamaha spokes I could not have replaced, heads of rare Yamaha panhead screws: various small sheet metal parts; axle spacers; dust shields; coil brackets. Basically, anything that was zinc or cad plated.

Stephen
 
The basic Caswell kit is currently on sale at about $154.00 U.S. and ends ~ November 9 2019. If you miss this discount, you might call or chat with them and ask them for the discount because you intended to purchase but did not at the time of the sale.

I will report back on how this worked for one full Commando resto. I intend on plating everything from simple bolts to the axles, rear wheel adjusters, hexagonal spacer backside of chain case, and

If anyone has a copy of the Caswell manual I would be interested in seeing / downloading / purchasing it from you. All download sites are hackers or worse.
 
I’ve been using the Caswells kit for plating my restoration. The learning curve is fairly steep but the results are good when they are good. I’ve become lazy about small parts (timing cover screws, etc. and gone back to ordering From Old Britts. Good luck.
 
The basic Caswell kit is currently on sale at about $154.00 U.S. and ends ~ November 9 2019. If you miss this discount, you might call or chat with them and ask them for the discount because you intended to purchase but did not at the time of the sale.

I will report back on how this worked for one full Commando resto. I intend on plating everything from simple bolts to the axles, rear wheel adjusters, hexagonal spacer backside of chain case, and

If anyone has a copy of the Caswell manual I would be interested in seeing / downloading / purchasing it from you. All download sites are hackers or worse.
I may have an extra manual. Will check today and let you know. Here is a pic of some parts I just did for a 1965 BSA. Have done 8 bikes worth with this kit.
Zinc Plating (2011)
 
I have used the caswells copy cad kit, a real tedious job but the results are good. Make sure you get the proper sized glass bead too.

Zinc Plating (2011)
 
Yes. Can be shiny or dull depending on the job. Also use the blue chromate which comes out clear to help plating last longer.
 
My plan is to prepare the parts using bench grinder with wire brush, then MEK or Phosphoric acid bath prior to dip into the preparation.

What I want is a reasonably shiny finish, so I will add the blue chromate to the list.
 
My plan is to prepare the parts using bench grinder with wire brush, then MEK or Phosphoric acid bath prior to dip into the preparation.

What I want is a reasonably shiny finish, so I will add the blue chromate to the list.
Kit comes with degreaser. I use a crock pot for that. I also wire brush parts. Do you still need manual? If so give me email and I'll scan and send to you.
 
Kit comes with degreaser. I use a crock pot for that. I also wire brush parts. Do you still need manual? If so give me email and I'll scan and send to you.
never had much luck with the degreaser.
 
Here is instructions
 

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Most zinc baths contain cyanide - what is this one ? My primary cover is a steel loop with tags for dzus fasters which hold an aluminium cover plate. The steel is zinc plated and chromate passivated. The battery acid loves it.
Cadmium plating is much more corrosion resistant than zinc, but these days most plating shops will not do it. Also with both zinc and cad, there is the risk of hydrogen embrittlement of high tensile steel, if you don't oven-bake the components. Screws in particular can pop their heads off after being tensioned for a while.
The way you can tell cad plating from zinc, is by immersing the bits in dilute hydrochloric acid. The zinc fizzes slightly faster.
Where I used to work, we used cad plated Allen screws to hold two halves of rocket motors together. One of them ended up on a ship and when it was stood up for firing, the head of a screw rolled out of it and onto the deck. That motor actually carries a bloody big torpedo, when being used for real.
 
If I was restoring a precious Commando, I would find somebody in the aircraft industry who would cadmium plate the fasteners.
 
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