Very interesting. I'll probably do that setup. Looks like you have two different systems?
2240310 1972 BMW 3.0cs
- Thread starter boonies
- Start date
Scott,
it is one "system"
The table is set up with the following:
Buckets on the front row: cleaning agent (to be heated), then two rinse buckets. The rinse buckets were to be separated, one for the post zinc plating bath and then for post chromating bath.
I no longer use the bath, just a spray bottle to rinse the parts off as I take them out. I do pull the anodes when not plating and keep them in one of the front buckets.
If I ever re-make the top I will likely eliminate those front buckets altogether. I really don't use the cleaning agent bucket much either as I have an ultrasonic cleaner and a bead blast cabinet that do the work more effectively.
Buckets on the back row: Muratic acid bath, zinc plating bath, yellow chromate, blue/clear chromate
On the very back is the power supply for the zinc plating process.
it is one "system"
The table is set up with the following:
Buckets on the front row: cleaning agent (to be heated), then two rinse buckets. The rinse buckets were to be separated, one for the post zinc plating bath and then for post chromating bath.
I no longer use the bath, just a spray bottle to rinse the parts off as I take them out. I do pull the anodes when not plating and keep them in one of the front buckets.
If I ever re-make the top I will likely eliminate those front buckets altogether. I really don't use the cleaning agent bucket much either as I have an ultrasonic cleaner and a bead blast cabinet that do the work more effectively.
Buckets on the back row: Muratic acid bath, zinc plating bath, yellow chromate, blue/clear chromate
On the very back is the power supply for the zinc plating process.
So, I have seen some zinc chromate parts that are matte finish, and some that are very shiny. Ids that a result of starting with a polished part and then plating it? Even your cast parts up in post 75 and 77 look pretty shiny...
I add a brightener to the zinc bath. The zinc comes out very bright and the chromate is then bright as well. It dulls over time as a result of the oxidation process.
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what happens if you ceramic coat the freshly zinc'd pieces ... will it stay 'bright'? curious ... if that is something we should do to zinc'd parts. thinking of things like the yellow zinc washers on the front of the car or pieces like the trunk latch or even door latches.
Not sure about ceramic coat, but possibly...anything that creates a barrier to the exposure to oxygen, water or petroleum products. So something like cerokote or similar. I like cerokote, but it is a PIA to drag out the spray gun every time i want to coat something so I don't always do it.
So far I am treating it as a future Lance problem or a problem for the next owner...
So far I am treating it as a future Lance problem or a problem for the next owner...
I nickel plated the door strikers and latches on my 635. Those held up
For sure it will inctease the life span of zinced parts if you coat them.
My local company even offers it as a service, it's called a "sealer".
That adds about 20% on the "salt spray test" results.
I expext that Ceracote will be a quite succesfull coating, as it is thin and thus likely doesn't tear up when tightening nuts and bolts. But that's theoretical. I will gladly accept practical experiences!