alternate to plating?

[Hawkscoach]

Gentlemen, this is getting exciting to be putting parts back on! Several smaller electrical bits I would like to install before putting the engine/trans back in. What do you guys use to "plate" the metal on these parts. Are there alternatives to sending out. for example: Flasher relay cover...........thanks, Doug

 

[healeyblue]

Bead blast and chrome paint. Does not look chrome at all like advertise but it does look similar to a silver cad plate. Eastwood also sells paints to mimic plated parts, but I find the chrome plate does the same for less.

 

[glemon]

Although I have never done it I have heard some people will spray a clear coat finish (as used with modern automotive topcoat paints) on unfinished metal surfaces.

 

[BigGreen]

Looks like clear coat, works the same and withstands 200 degree heat

https://www.raceglaze.co.uk/car-car...ntenance/race-glaze-jet-laq-non-paint-laquer/

 

[CLEAH]

Hawkscoach,

There are DIY cad and zinc plating kits available to brighten small metal parts. Is that what you are looking to do?

 

[Hawkscoach]

thanks guys! yes, CLEAh, I am trying to get the look close to the original. If I bead blast they will be a rough almost primer look (although the rust will be gone). I also have an "environmentally friendly" water based fluid from Eastwood (pricey) that works ok on lightly rusted bits. I have seen many of restored AH pictures and wasn't sure what to use.................thanks, Doug

 

[Patrick67BJ8]

thanks guys! yes, CLEAh, I am trying to get the look close to the original. If I bead blast they will be a rough almost primer look (although the rust will be gone). I also have an "environmentally friendly" water based fluid from Eastwood (pricey) that works ok on lightly rusted bits. I have seen many of restored AH pictures and wasn't sure what to use.................thanks, Doug

I had all my parts CAD plated and baked. It is brighter and shinery than the orginal Zinc plating. CAD adds a few thousands to the thickness to the parts and those that are worn will have/could their original thickness restored. Cost was about $40 (plus/minus), for a gallon paint can full. I've had a couple of guys on the BCF ask me where to get CAD done and I gave them a Contact in the Ft worth, TX area that I use. They responded back that they were happy with the work and service.

 

[mikephillips]

I've used the Eastwood zinc plating kit, got good results but there are a couple things you need to know. First, the parts must be absolutely clean and derusted. And small flakes in a pit or trapped in threads or such can leave a streak in the plating. Ans second, the battery source to power it is way too small for any piece of any size. I use an old toy train controller to run the plating. Depending in the size of the piece I adjust the "throttle" up or down since it controls the DC current. When complete, rinse off with water, dry and buff lightly with very fine steel wool.