Topic: Paint that matches zinc plating

[markb]

I have some early sandcast oil lines (rubber hoses) that are usable but the metal ferrules are a little rusty and need some restoring.  I’m thinking the easiest solution would be to soda blast the aluminum fittings and steel ferrules and then mask and paint the ferrules.  Any recommendations on paint that will look like zinc plating?

[mafd2]

One is a zinc and the other is cad.

http://www.eastwood.com/ew-clear-zinc-aerosol-12-oz.html

http://www.eastwood.com/ew-silver-cad-aerosol-12-oz.html

[markb]

That was to easy.  I don't know why I didn't think of Eastwood.  Thanks.

[brewsky]

You could also do diy zinc plating

[markb]

  I'm not sure what that does for me.  The ferrules are assembled on the hoses between the rubber and the aluminum.  It seems that either way they would go in a plating tank which doesn't seem like a good idea to me.

[brewsky]

The plating solution is simply sugar, vinegar, and epsom salts........not sure if it would be that harmful to rubber or not.

Maybe someone with a more chemical background would know??

It would only have to be in the solution a few minutes.

[markb]

I don't know much about plating but I thought zinc plating was an electroplating process using an electric current and a zinc anode.

[brewsky]

See reply #15 in this thread....

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=111604.0

It's really simple ......and habit forming too.

[markb]

Wow brewsky, thanks for the link.  Very interesting reading.  I may have to experiment with this.  Anyone know what that process would do to rubber or aluminum?

[brewsky]

I definitely would experiment before trying a rare part.

I would keep the rubber away from "the works" cleaner as it is acid, but other cleaners should be fine.

Not tried aluminum, but the zinc will not plate over chrome, it just brushes off in flakes. (This actually comes in handy when trying to repair a small rusty spot on a chrome piece). Aluminum may be similar?

The actual plating solution seems pretty benign to me, and putting my hands in it has had no ill effects, so I doubt it would harm rubber with the limited exposure time. I have seen some attached brake line ends done on you tube, but again, maybe someone else could chime in who knows?

[lone*X]

This might be a way to recondition old spokes.  I have a full set with minor surface rust but no pitting that I might give this a try on.