Cadmium or zinc plated components

[Gary Walsh (34630)]

Can anyone tell me what is best to use to restore cadmium or zinc plated engine compartment components? Also, how do you keep them looking new once they are cleaned up? Should you put clear laquer paint on them?

[Dick Whittington (8804)]

Re: Cadmium or zinc plated components

Search the archives for threads on plating. Key words would be Eastwood or Caswell. If you do not want to step up to buy the kits, there are several platers that could do this for you.

Quality plating should last a long time give the fact that most of the restored Vettes are not driven every day. I just looked at a car that I restored in 1987 and the plating was probably 95% as nice as it was when done.

[John DeGregory (2855)]

Re: Cadmium or zinc plated components

Gary, Cad plating can got to pot quickly if you car is in damp conditions. If you live near the swamp that hurts too. The Florida boys have a lot of trouble with deteriation of aluminum castings and plating. (swamp boys) Here's one for you. Try spraying the cad with furniture polish in a spray can. Some of that stuff actually has carnuba in it. Seems like some of the FI stuff stays prettier for a longer period of time. If your parts sweat that ruins them. Heating up an ice cold garage makes a car sweat. Proper climate controled conditions are the best for plating and the entire car. Use a big time plater for the best results. See a lot of guys playing around with do it your self kits. May be OK for just a few things but in my business gets thousands of little parts plated all the time and it would be a waste of time. Ohio has a lot of good cad platers. In PA where I live cad platers are a rare bread.
Try Beringer Plating in Akron, OH for really good cadmium plating. They have a web site. Used them for years. Don't do chrome though. Everything else though. Really nice people. Never lost a part yet. Good for the swamp cars too. John

[Gary Walsh (34630)]

Re: Cadmium or zinc plated components

John: Thanks for your help.

[Kent Keech (6201)]

Swamp Boys got A/C

John,

Don't you realize that we have A/C down here in the swamp? Jes like you TUNDRA boys probly havin heat when it gits cold up thar. Them oil fired boilers will dry your rubbers on them ol' cars. What do you say about that?

Having fun with you,
Kent #6201

[Gerard Fuccillo (42179)]

Re: Swamp Boys got A/C

Them oil fired guys probably put WD40 or Tri-Flow on their rubbers, just like I do on freshly plated parts. Wax is also good to preserve the finish. The trick is to keep water off of zinc plating.

Also having fun,

Regards,

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Jim Hofferbert]

Re: Cadmium or zinc plated components

Gary,
In a past life I spent over 20 years in the electroplating business. Since I have been an active member of the NCRS, MAC chapter, I have seen alot of confusion between cad and zinc. Both are what is referred to in the industry as sacrificial coatings. In other words both cad and zinc are plated on the part as a coating that corrodes at a much slower rate than the substrate on which it is plated. My recommendation would be to research the original finish on the part to be plated and have it replaced. There is another problem that exists. Because cadmiun is highly toxic, years ago it was outlawed for any consumer use, and restricted to military specification only. I have tried to research this, and have run into dead ends. I'm going to keep trying, however. The reason Cadmium is specified on some parts is in the fact that it is much more resistant to corrosion than zinc. This is why it is more prevelent in the areas of our country subjected to salt air environments. The swamp guys can take heart. I hope this helps.

[John DeGregory (2855)]

Re: Cadmium or zinc plated components

JIm, I like your answer the best on the plating problem. You got it right my friend. Used to work in a plating shop myself in another lifetime. Was a buffer and used to come home black. Learned a lot though. Learned to pay someone else to do it. Then if it isn't right tell them to do it again. Those swamp boys though have problems. With the plating too. John