Author Topic: ZINC PLATING  (Read 2947 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline 736cc

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,724
ZINC PLATING
« on: March 14, 2007, 12:57:31 PM »
Just got back 20 pounds of clear-zinc plated hardware from my CB750K2, plus some old nuts and bolts thrown in. Sure didn't look like this 2 weeks ago. Good stuff.



Offline Steve F

  • I have "some-timer's disease" because I'm an
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 2,929
  • "To Ride Is The Reason, The Destination The Excuse
Re: ZINC PLATING
« Reply #1 on: March 14, 2007, 01:03:17 PM »
Just curious, but did your plater say anything to you about plating the springs?  Something about "hydrogen embrittlement"? (spelling?)
One guy I took some parts to was going to rape me on plating the springs because of this possible problem.   Hmmm sounds like a scam to me.  Went to some other plater and there was no problem.

Offline Bob Wessner

  • "Carbs Suck!"
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 10,079
Re: ZINC PLATING
« Reply #2 on: March 14, 2007, 02:51:42 PM »
Hmm, never heard the term before. If anyone is interested in casting aside the cloak of ignorance (like I did ;)) here's some info.

http://www.mechanicalplating.com/hydrogen.htm
We'll all be someone else's PO some day.

Offline 736cc

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,724
Re: ZINC PLATING
« Reply #3 on: March 14, 2007, 03:05:09 PM »
no problem, the springs still go "BOING"

Offline grumburg

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 944
  • 74550, 76400F, 72 750 67S90, 68CL90, 65 s65 66 x6
Re: ZINC PLATING
« Reply #4 on: March 14, 2007, 04:23:40 PM »
 :o :o :o
Fonda Honda

Offline bwaller

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 7,484
Re: ZINC PLATING
« Reply #5 on: March 14, 2007, 07:51:00 PM »
Yea, the stuff looks great. The finishing touch.

Offline Roach Carver

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 6,725
Re: ZINC PLATING
« Reply #6 on: March 14, 2007, 08:03:06 PM »
are there zinc platers on every corner or is this something I will need to ship? also Is it fairly durable ?

Offline c_kyle

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 298
Re: ZINC PLATING
« Reply #7 on: March 14, 2007, 08:08:48 PM »
Is that plater in the States?
Izanami, my 1979 CB650Z:  Clicky

Offline stay youth

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 348
Re: ZINC PLATING
« Reply #8 on: March 14, 2007, 09:33:28 PM »
just out or curiousity how much did it cost. sorry for my unsocial graces
1976 cb400f

Offline DME

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 656
Re: ZINC PLATING
« Reply #9 on: March 15, 2007, 01:30:43 AM »
Zinkplating is cheap.
I plated all bolts, brackets and axles for my FZR Streetfighter and some carbstuff for the CB last week.
Had it all in "yellow" instead of "clear"...
Sent 7 kilos of rusty, oily and dirty stuff and 3 days later it came back as new.
I paid 800 swedish kronor (ca 100 US $) including postage that was 320 kronor.

It really is the finishing touch to a build.
Go for it.

Cheers
Dan

Offline 736cc

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,724
Re: ZINC PLATING
« Reply #10 on: March 15, 2007, 05:16:04 AM »
Any shop that does chrome plating can do it. My 20 pound pile cost $100. Clear (white) zinc is the original finish all nuts and bolts (plus misc hardware like carb bowl clips, choke lever, rear brake stay, axle spacer, peg hardware, wheel spokes, etc) come with; the yellow zinc is what CB750 spoke nipples, stand springs and 4 battery tray washers have. Not to be confused w/ chrome plating, which some hardware on CB750 uses (handlebar clamp bolts and washers, clutch cover screws, rear axle nut, etc). Should last many, many years.

ludite13

  • Guest
Re: ZINC PLATING
« Reply #11 on: March 15, 2007, 05:37:14 AM »
WOW!  Lookin' good guys!  I never considered zinc plating since I know chrome can be so expen$ive.  Perhaps something to look into.

-James

Offline stay youth

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 348
Re: ZINC PLATING
« Reply #12 on: March 15, 2007, 06:52:41 AM »
hey thanks for sharing the info. they look great
1976 cb400f

Offline mb3000gt

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 86
Re: ZINC PLATING
« Reply #13 on: March 15, 2007, 09:53:51 AM »
i have a bucket of zinc plating solution that i use all the time. its really handy if you only have a couple of parts to do at one time. the finish looks just like the old cad plating that honda used. the basic idea is described in this article http://members.tripod.com/cb750k2/Technical/plating.html.

Offline stueveone

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 346
Re: ZINC PLATING
« Reply #14 on: March 15, 2007, 10:04:34 AM »
Wow! That's bad ass!!!

Offline Seyser

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 86
Re: ZINC PLATING
« Reply #15 on: April 11, 2007, 02:49:39 PM »
What kind of prep work do you have to do before you send in stuff to be zinc plated? Does it have to be rust free?

Offline 736cc

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,724
Re: ZINC PLATING
« Reply #16 on: April 11, 2007, 05:41:01 PM »
No prep needed, (although you shouldn't give really greasy crap to the guy). Rusty/corroded bits come out duller and not as smooth or shiny.

Offline coolcat2002

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 90
Re: ZINC PLATING
« Reply #17 on: April 12, 2007, 11:46:11 AM »
Ok, I'm going to do this, thanks for the inspiration but I need to know where to buy stuff:

Materials:

Car Battery:  check

Container Plastic or glass or Aquarium: check

Hydrochloric Acid:
Usually goes under its archaic name of "Muriatic Acid" @ Home Depot. It is offered in gallon size, one of which costs less
than three dollars. Its primary purpose is for pH control of swimming pools. The Home Depot product is of "20 degrees Baume" (a French word with 'accent aigue' on the 'e' ) in concentration, which is around 31% hydrogen
chloride (HCl) by weight. (perfect concentration for pickling)

Ammeter:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90899

Zinc Metal
http://secure.sciencecompany.com/Zinc-Electrode-Strip-P6351C0.aspx

Zinc Chloride
http://www.sciencestuff.com/prod/Chem-Rgnts/C2992

Ammonium Chloride
http://secure.sciencecompany.com/Ammonium-Chloride-500g-P6378C670.aspx

Rheostat for car battery
???

Not sure how long this stuff lasts. 

Offline 736cc

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,724
Re: ZINC PLATING
« Reply #18 on: April 12, 2007, 12:00:21 PM »
Its best to let the plater do your zincing and handle the very corrosive chemicals; and its under $100 for a whole bike

Offline coolcat2002

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 90
Re: ZINC PLATING
« Reply #19 on: April 12, 2007, 12:41:28 PM »
Its best to let the plater do your zincing and handle the very corrosive chemicals; and its under $100 for a whole bike

My bike and my place ain't half as clean as yours.  I live in the ghettos.  Having corrosive materials around is a way of life to keep the burglars away.  I was spray painting my headers the other day (without a repirator) and I smell this aweful odor.  It was the neighbor's dog who took a dump on the other side of the fence right next to me. 

I want the experience of doing this myself.  Isn't that the whole idea behind our restoration? 

mb3000gt, how long does that solution last for you?