Zinc Plating

[rmaynard 15,734]

Has anyone done any plating of metal parts that are not to be painted such as the item pictured below?

Were these parts originally zinc plated to keep them from rusting?

I would rather plate than paint on things like this.

Bob in Maryland

[tarcoleo 119]

Bob-

Zinc plating can be electrolytic or dip (in molten zinc). For home application,

neither is easy. Another way to go is to make a durable zinc-colored paint

with a mix of epoxy and metal powder, zinc or aluminum. Should last about

as long as a zinc coating exposed to the elements if surface is well prepared.

Tom

Little Compton, RI

[rmaynard 15,734]

Another way to go is to make a durable zinc-colored paint

with a mix of epoxy and metal powder, zinc or aluminum.

Tom,

Thanks for the info. I have zinc powder/dust available to me (5 micron size). What would be the formula for the mix? How would you apply it? Can it be sprayed? Tell me more.

Bob in Maryland

[Lane Ranger 11,029]

I used some high heat silver paint on my Lawn Ranger steering wheel and then clearcoated it. It has been on there for a year and it has held up very well. No chips or scratches.

I think that is a good substitute for metal plating.

[Kelly 1,030]

eastwood company makes a zinc plating kit, I've been wanting to try it on the small parts for a more correct look, I think it's about $70

[rmaynard 15,734]

I have tried the Caswell kits before. I nickel-plated some hinges. What a royal pain in the butt. All the time and energy that I put into the process, then everything had to be polished, I could have taken it somewhere and had it chromed professionally. I understand that the Eastwood kit leaves the metal with a dull finish too which has to be buffed and polished.

I may be willing to try the home plating kits again since zinc is a little easier than nickel/chrome, but $70 for a kit that will only do a small amount of stuff is a little stiff. I may just be able to have the local motorcycle shop guy zinc plate everything for a couple cases of beer. :notworthy:

[tarcoleo 119]

Bob-

5 micron powder when mixed with a resin will probably look like black paint.

Also, that degree of fineness will not afford much protection as the fine

particles will be quickly or easily oxidized. Courser would be better.

Considering that most of the protection of a zinc powder/epoxy resin mix

will come from the epoxy, you might be just as well off using aluminum

powder pigment (available at any good art-supply store). How much galvanic

corrosion protection would come from zinc is hard to say, but some.

As for epoxy, I use Petit's hobby epoxy thinned with lacquer solvent. I've

had a 2-gallon supply for twenty years and it never gets old.

Tom, Little Compton, RI

[rmaynard 15,734]

Thanks for the info. I will give it serious consideration.

Bob

[Sarge 3,464]

I've personally tried the Eastwood zinc plating kit , not really fond of it either. It plates the parts well enough, but without a serious top clear coat they easily rust. I'm considering using cold zinc compounds that are sprayable for the next batch of parts, this stuff is expensive but available from welding suppliers...

Sarge

[rickv1957 72]

Zinc plating is not all that high at the chrome shops,Rick

[earlleecliffton 38]

i sand with fine paper and then clear coat

[bitten 134]

Has anyone looked at something like this?

http://www.superior-industries.com/tech_data_page_114.html

[tarcoleo 119]

Zin-Kote 601, from what I can determine, is an aerosol suspension of zinc

powder in an undisclosed resin system. This is not much different, maybe

no better, than the zinc powder/epoxy system I recommended.

I notice that somebody is selling 325 mesh zinc powder on ebay for very

little money. So there you go!

Tom, aka "sticky fingers", in Little Compton, RI :notworthy:

[Sarge 3,464]

I've tried those weld-through coatings and most work quite well although they are a bit dull and rough. The 3M stuff I use for welding is around $30/can and will eventually rust if left out in open weather . Personally, after looking at the Superior pages, I like this one-

Stainless spray

Then again, at $35/can it better last a long time...

Sarge

[Sarge 3,464]

Wow, just went and looked closer at the Zinc coating from Superior. Ouch, it costs more than the Stainless stuff !

But, they rate this product at a better anti-rust level than even hot dip zinc, which is pretty tough stuff .

Hmm, who's gonna try it first ?

Sarge

[tarcoleo 119]

"But, they rate this product at a better anti-rust level than even hot dip zinc, which is pretty tough stuff ."

------------------------------

They? -the manufacturer that is.

Tom in Little Compton, RI :notworthy:

[rmaynard 15,734]

I am going to experiment with a product from CRC Industries. It is called Zinc It.

This is supposed to be 95% pure zinc in and epoxy base. Available in 13oz. spray cans for about $6.00.

Worth a try for $6.00

Bob

[tarcoleo 119]

Hey Bob-

"Zinc-It". What a great find! Somebody beat me to the punch. Darn.

Please let us know how it works out.

Tom in Little Compton, RI :notworthy:

[rmaynard 15,734]

Well the results are in. This stuff look no different than gray primer. Maybe it gives better protection, but it is not the look I was going for.

The quest resumes...

Bob

[bitten 134]

I think if you are looking for cosmetics dipping will be the only way to go. If you are looking for protection then the stuff you tried or other products along that line might be the ticket. You can use the stuff you got and try to match the finished look with paint.

I used the superior stuff on outside hand rails that I built for work. I did this in early fall so there will be sometime before we know how well it works. I guess I could paint a piece of metal with it and put it outside for the winter to see.

[Lane Ranger 11,029]

Here s another zinc coating product I researched this am on the web. I have not used but it has UL labs approval.

ZRC

[rmaynard 15,734]

Back in 2009 I started this thread when I was a newbie here on RedSquare. I was looking for a way to freshen up some of the unpainted items on my first restoration. I ended up painting them due to a lack of time. Ten years has passed since then, and I am just now revisiting zinc plating. 

 

I have a few items that need some work, so I thought I'd give plating another try. I'm not going to buy any kits or expensive processes. Just going to use locally available and easily sourced items and see how it works. If I have success, I will post a complete tutorial. If I fail, I will let you know that as well.

 

I've raided the wife's pantry for 3 items already. They are already paid for and she'll never miss them. DC power supply will be a battery charger of which I have several, and the only thing I am waiting on is a piece of bright zinc for my anode.

 

More to follow...

[AMC RULES 37,141]

   AWESOME!   

   YAY BOB!  

[lynnmor 7,388]

I see there is zinc on fleabay under metalworking/raw materials.  Maybe that will work for you.  If you get the process working well, I would be interested in doing some plating myself.

[AMC RULES 37,141]

https://www.eastwood.com/ew-electroplating-system-tin-zinc.html