DIY Electroplating

[mockingbird812]

Eddie M. (enio45) and I have a great plater in town who works with us and our relatively small projects - they typically deal with large DOD contracts. Problem is from time to time I have real small amounts of parts to be plated. It costs the same whether it is 2 or 200 pieces (a basket worth of pieces). Also, the shop is a good 45 mins away in Phoenix. Soooooo..... I've been researching the DIY approach and was looking to get some insight from others that have ventured in that direction <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/scholar.gif .

My first project will be with zinc plating (&quot;clear&quot;). I've got all the sources nailed down for the components I need, but was wondering where I could find a good source of Zinc Chloride (I am making my own electrolyte solution).

I am restoring the Roof's day-two Mallory YC-465-HP dual point distributor and coil for the Nova and will posts photos as my process moves along.

Here is what I am starting with....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v697/mockingbird812/70%20Roof%20Deuce/Original%20Components/DSC_0030.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v697/mockingbird812/70%20Roof%20Deuce/Original%20Components/DSC_0044.jpg


<span style="font-size: 26pt"><span style="color: #000099">Thanks!</span></span> <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[Keith Tedford]

Have you tried Caswell? http://www.caswellplating.com/

[VintageMusclecar]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Keith Tedford</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Have you tried Caswell? http://www.caswellplating.com/ </div></div>

X2

I started out using their products years ago. (I still use a couple of their products, just nothing plating-related) I think they even still have a picture of a carburetor I did on their website.

Save yourself the headaches and buy one of their kits. Be advised that it will take some practice to figure things out. There's a saying that &quot;plating is more of an art than a science&quot;.

[mockingbird812]

I have looked at the Caswell site and heard from those have used their products (other sites). I was hoping to purchase the Zinc Chloride locally as the Caswell product seems to be expensive. The rest of the components and solutions I have or are available locally.

Eric - from all I have read, it was clear to me that it takes practice to get good at it.

Thanks for your input.

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif