ahthud
Weekend rider
Posts: 64
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Post by ahthud on Aug 12, 2020 7:18:32 GMT 1
I'm going to have a go at zinc plating, so have read up about it on the net. Was just wondering if people had any hints and tips?
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Post by LC_BOTT on Aug 12, 2020 7:33:32 GMT 1
Yes, find someone to do it professionally  I would say it's better for small one-off parts or forgotten to do bits, I could never match the shine or quality, unless everything was new and very clean, fresh fluids etc etc ( zinc also started going yellow over time)very time consuming cleaning the parts and deciding if it's good enough to replate (pitted bolts will still look s###), await more comments. In the end I found a firm about 5 miles away, take a pack in and a few days later, new shiny bolts. Whereabouts are you loads of info and helful contacts on here. |
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Post by shaunthe2nd on Aug 12, 2020 8:16:05 GMT 1
Agree with the above, although there is some satisfaction when it does go well.
Had mixed results too, but a bit inconsistent. My set up is only suited to doing a few small parts at the same time.
Tips:
Use a decent battery and keep it charged.
Use a fish tank heater to keep the fluids at correct temperature.
Stir fluids often whilst plating.
Take your time and follow the instructions.
Don't do parts that are too big, or too many at the same time.
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Post by midlifecrisisrd on Aug 12, 2020 8:58:44 GMT 1
I'll give a third vote for getting someone to do it professionally
I have a zinc and a nickel kit which I used a few times each
Even got clear, yellow, olive drab and black passivates
Still drop it at a local place
Sometimes do my own passivation if I have a small mixed lot to do as platers usually charge per batch
Steve
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Post by midlifecrisisrd on Aug 12, 2020 9:03:55 GMT 1
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Post by midlifecrisisrd on Aug 12, 2020 9:13:48 GMT 1
There's a lot of zinc in there lol
There was just under 30kg when I dropped it off
After it was 30.3kg
Not in the picture was 2 rear sprockets and over 20 front, rear and swing arm spindles
All for £130
By the time you buy all the kit, prep chems and passivates you will have spent that
You just have to make sure there is no paint on anything as that doesn't come off in their prep process
Only grease, crud, rust and old zinc comes off in their boiling acid prep
Steve
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Post by JonW on Aug 12, 2020 9:15:29 GMT 1
Oh Steve! Thats enough cool blingy as-new parts to get a grown man hot under the collar! For a man who doesnt generally build LCs, there are a lot of LC parts in there.... hmm... Im sure there are plenty of us saddos who can look at those piles of parts and know what they are/do It does amuse me that youre also doing sprockets and tools, its like youve picked up my plating lol! And yes... I'll 4th(?) what they said. Pay a pro. |
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Post by midlifecrisisrd on Aug 12, 2020 9:25:55 GMT 1
Oh Steve! Thats enough cool blingy as-new parts to get a grown man hot under the collar! For a man who doesnt generally build LCs, there are a lot of LC parts in there.... hmm... And yes... I'll 4th(?) what they said. Pay a pro. Lol Yes a lot of LC back to life bits in there 🤣 Forgot a pic of all the LC brake rods and the RG500 lower fairing bracket Real trouser accident stuff Got my TR pegs/levers and swingarm end caps/chain pull plates anodised at the same time 😎 Sadly all the zinc stuff wasn't mine Got a deal with my parts guy. I rub his back... I usually exchange the cost for parts 😀 He lives a good 400 miles from me but prefers it done up here Once boxed it was 31kg and believe it or not I booked UPS at 11am, it was collected by 3pm and delivered next day All for £16 😏 Steve |
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Post by midlifecrisisrd on Aug 12, 2020 9:29:07 GMT 1
Forgot there were tool kits in there too lol
If it's made of steel - feckin zinc it 🤣
Steve
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Post by JonW on Aug 12, 2020 9:30:48 GMT 1
Haha, supercool. As I said, its like you picked up my boxes of stuff. Ive been gathering stuff for my next drop off. Everytime I think, 'ive got it all now'... I find more LOL!
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Post by JonW on Aug 12, 2020 9:33:06 GMT 1
Forgot there were tool kits in there too lol If it's made of steel - feckin zinc it 🤣 Steve This is gold! I have adopted the same approach! I have all sorts done haha. |
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Post by midlifecrisisrd on Aug 12, 2020 9:38:03 GMT 1
Haha, supercool. As I said, its like you picked up my boxes of stuff. Ive been gathering stuff for my next drop off. Everytime I think, 'ive got it all now'... I find more LOL! I'm the same No matter how much I round up (there's always a bucket in the garage that gets all the plating stuff thrown in as I find it) there is always something you find the day after you've dropped it off. Finding a good plater is like having a new toy 😆 As for the shipping it amazes me that a first class large letter can take up to a week yet a 30kg box speeds it's way a cross the country Just looked at the tracking details. Check out the times Steve  |
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Post by flames on Aug 12, 2020 10:19:33 GMT 1
Haha, supercool. As I said, its like you picked up my boxes of stuff. Ive been gathering stuff for my next drop off. Everytime I think, 'ive got it all now'... I find more LOL! I'm the same No matter how much I round up (there's always a bucket in the garage that gets all the plating stuff thrown in as I find it) there is always something you find the day after you've dropped it off. Finding a good plater is like having a new toy 😆 As for the shipping it amazes me that a first class large letter can take up to a week yet a 30kg box speeds it's way a cross the country Just looked at the tracking details. Check out the times Steve Who is the firm you use in Norwich? Might take some parts to them when I get round to starting mine. |
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Post by midlifecrisisrd on Aug 12, 2020 11:01:04 GMT 1
I'm the same No matter how much I round up (there's always a bucket in the garage that gets all the plating stuff thrown in as I find it) there is always something you find the day after you've dropped it off. Finding a good plater is like having a new toy 😆 As for the shipping it amazes me that a first class large letter can take up to a week yet a 30kg box speeds it's way a cross the country Just looked at the tracking details. Check out the times Steve Who is the firm you use in Norwich? Might take some parts to them when I get round to starting mine. Norwich was where the guy that owned the parts lives I'm afraid The plater is in Scotland AJ in Hull is the only place I know in the East Steve |
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Post by flames on Aug 12, 2020 11:04:56 GMT 1
Damn. Ok bud Cheers.
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ahthud
Weekend rider
Posts: 64
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Post by ahthud on Aug 12, 2020 13:59:55 GMT 1
So, any recomendations for companys in Kent? Seeing as you have put me off doing it myself.
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I would say it's better for small one-off parts or forgotten to do bits, I could never match the shine or quality, unless everything was new and very clean, fresh fluids etc etc ( zinc also started going yellow over time)very time consuming cleaning the parts and deciding if it's good enough to replate (pitted bolts will still look s###), await more comments. 
