Lancia Motor Club

General => General Chat => Topic started by: Richard Fridd on 20 May, 2013, 01:45:19 PM



Title: Electroplating
Post by: Richard Fridd on 20 May, 2013, 01:45:19 PM
Does anyone have any advice regarding electroplating, as this kit is due to be given a workshop trial  tomorrow. Best regards richard


Title: Re: Electroplating
Post by: simonandjuliet on 20 May, 2013, 02:50:02 PM
Rubber gloves and goggles ?????

I have often wondered about this "dark art" will be interested to hear how you get on. Bit like chemistry 'O' level for big kids ....


Title: Re: Electroplating
Post by: Parisien on 20 May, 2013, 03:09:01 PM
Have you seen any utube demos of it Richard, should be one or two out there.....simple enough process, its just getting the prep right and nicely buffed finish


P


Title: Re: Electroplating
Post by: lancialulu on 20 May, 2013, 03:37:03 PM
R U planning on triple plating copper nickel chrome? Or just nickel??


Title: Re: Electroplating
Post by: Richard Fridd on 20 May, 2013, 03:45:22 PM
Yet to read the instuction booklet! I had in mind starting with various fasteners /brackets finished in that yellowy-goldy colour, rather than any brightwork plating. Richard


Title: Re: Electroplating
Post by: ColinMarr on 20 May, 2013, 04:09:35 PM
The yellow/ gold colour is 'passivated zinc'. In earlier times cadmium plating was used for the same functional corrosion resistance, but cadmium is also toxic and zinc became a preferred alternative. Beware, some of the chemicals used can still be nasty!

Colin


Title: Re: Electroplating
Post by: DavidLaver on 20 May, 2013, 04:15:10 PM
Good luck!!  Various friends have enjoyed electrolytic rust removal (it's something to do when there's no paint to watch dry) but none have progressed to plating.

David


Title: Re: Electroplating
Post by: Richard Fridd on 21 May, 2013, 05:41:51 PM
Kit now opened, and "control panel" assembled, which according to the instructions, is preferable to a method of using wires soldered to lightbulbs as resistors, and avoiding  the inconvenience of resoldering the wires when the filaments fail.


Title: Re: Electroplating
Post by: SanRemo78 on 21 May, 2013, 06:27:51 PM
Read the instructions and practice on some scrap items. I tried it recently but couldn't get the control accurate enough on bolts, it either didn't seem to plate at all or was so sudden the plating clogged the threads rendering the bolt unusable until polarity was reversed to remove the plating.... Gave up in the end on bolts.

Guy


Title: Re: Electroplating
Post by: Richard Fridd on 21 May, 2013, 06:35:42 PM
Thanks Guy, I was thinking a suitable rheostat would be an improvement to the kit. Thanks for the reverse polarity tip, and also as can be seen  I have snipped the edges of the insulator to keep the wiring in place. Richard


Title: Re: Electroplating
Post by: Richard Fridd on 14 October, 2013, 02:40:27 PM
The kit has now been used on some motorcycle parts. The finish has the appearance of clean mild steel, which should give an authentiic look. Also attached is a photo of a nearby workshop with professional equipment and an impressive looking transformer. Fairly steamy!


Title: Re: Electroplating
Post by: Jay on 14 October, 2013, 03:27:49 PM
A friend brought a small kit, I believe he got better results when he added a fish tank air pump (aerator). The suppliers wanted a fair amount but he just got one from pets at home, I guess it created a lot more fumes.

It something I been meaning to try, very interested in the results especially the durability.