Eastwood electroplating system any good?

autokunst

autokunst

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Has anyone tried the electroplating system from Eastwood?
https://www.eastwood.com/ew-electroplating-system-tin-zinc.html
It seems like a nice idea, but I struggle to imagine that the 2 D battery and electrolyte solution will thoroughly plate a part with any quality and duration. It also seems that it works better on copper and brass than steel.Which is not what I'd try to use it for. Any input or feedback welcome.
 
I didn't tried Eastwood set.
But can tell you that made experiments with my own - too much mess around, too much wasted time, effect is so,so (nothing special), for best effect sometimes you need to change fluid couple times. If you have one little part - ok, but if you have 10 - not worth. I really prefer to give parts for pro-plating - quality is really different.
My set cost me "nothing" (just time & parts in my garage) and consist of:
Old fashion battery 6v/12v charger (with regulated Amps), but actually i think any 6-7v phone charger will also work. More amps - faster process.
5 Liters plastic canister
Self made fluid (universal) - warm water, couple spoons of baking soda & spoon of salt.

If you want to clean parts from rust or old plating - put (-) on cleaned part & (+) on metal plate
If you want to zinc plate part - put (+) on part you want to zinc plate & (-) on zinc plate/piece of zinc or zinc plated metal part.
 
My experience with the electroplating kit from Eastwood ( bet you saw it on Jay Leno’s Garage) is that it worked pretty well on small parts, but maybe not so well on steel that is greater in size, let’s say 4 inches by 6 inches.
However, I am willing to continue to run my “experiments” by altering the time, technique, etc.
I probably will need to purchase some new solution. I will say that you need to pretty much treat your steel item to remove all rust first.
I like to soak any rusted steel in household vinegar for a few days.
The Eastwood system is sorta pricey, but if you want an all-in-one starter kit, this may be the way to go.
 
Are you thinking about electroplating your calipers? I thought about buying a kit and doing the calipers on my '74, but by the time you figure in your time, getting used to whatever kit you buy, doing the process, then wondering if you did it right, I figured it wasn't worth the trouble when all I had to do was send them to PMB Performance in Utah and have them do it. Had the rears done, they are beautiful, now I am sending the fronts. I undesratand the DIY aspect and the self-satisfaction (I do as much as I possibly can on my coupe) but for calipers PMB is the way to go for me. Good luck.
 
I was pondering this approach for a handful to small parts and pieces - not contemplating something with as much mass as a caliper. I am putting together a homemade version of this kit as inspired by @Wladek. I'll report my results.
 
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