Bolt plating

[subyman99]

I bought the copy cad and zinc plating 1.5 gallon kit. Plus the yellow chromate and black chromate and one of their 5 amp power supplies.

Then bought copper wire locally, a copper pipe, some wire , alligator clips and some 5 gallon pails with lids.
I believe that’s it to start plating. It’s kind of a science experiment to get the amps down and how much brightener to add to solution but once you have it down you’ll love the results and being able to plate bolts at your convenience AND no worries of the big plating company’s loosing your precious hardware (that was my trigger to purchase a kit)

Matt

[AnthonyS]

^ cool. Good info.

[BCreekDave]

Not to mention the higher quality job you can do compared to the General. GM like most things did them in bulk and was in a hurry, so the corrosion protection was really minimal. Actually the hardest thing I have found is to try and get the fasteners to look as bad as the originals. Most were very dull and not shiny at all.

[firstgenaddict]

IF you don't use the blue/clear passivation it leaves the finish more "silvery" like the old zinc plating.

Also with your gold dichromate run a test strip of metal -
take a 6" long strip- plate with zinc then submerge all the way in the gold dichromate for 10 seconds- pull up 1/2" wait another 10 seconds, up 1/2" another 10 seconds - etc until you are up to 60 seconds - this way you can determine the right time in order to regulate the gold color.

[Enoch]

I have perfected a process that perfectly mimics black phosphate but will never rust.

[Chuck_Burg]

Originally Posted by Enoch

I have perfected a process that perfectly mimics black phosphate but will never rust.

Rich did most of my hardware. Very pleased with the results.