zinc plating?

I really need to do some small scale zinc plating. Many of the small parts that get bead blasted to remove rust on carb assemblies I work on require replating to make them look nice. I have been using another plating source and they have gotten really expensive. Anybody on KZrider do any zinc plating? Willing to share tips/tricks and describe what is needed to start doing the plating? I have seen a couple "kits" which consisted of a battery pack and a couple leads, some acid solution and a couple pieces of zinc plus a couple brushes and cleaning compound. I have seen more professional looking "regulators" used for plating. Not sure what I need to buy to get started.

Check out the Eastwood catalog. They sell a plating kit.

Yeah, I know. A couple of small batteries with leads, the zinc in bar stock, some sulfuric acid in solution and some cleaner with a brush. $70. I expect I could buy the same stuff at a hardware store for a bit less... was wondering if this level of stuff would be right. I couldn't view their video on the subject... Notice they didn't supply a tank?

i found this hope it helps loads of info on the subject no video sorry i looked everywhere.

www.pfonline.com/articles/pfdbiddulph01.html

You might check out Caswell www.caswellplating.com/kits/zinc.htm

They have a pretty active forum there also.

A buddy of mine has the Caswell kit and he's pretty happy with the quality of plating it does. He does say, though, that most of the work IS in the preparation of the pieces i.e. cleaning properly, filing/smooting the rough bits, etc.

150 bucks for the small kit!, but that would do most of the little hardware parts on a major rebuild. The only other solution I can come up with is paint and that is not Original looking and comes off easy on bolt heads.

My only question is how long can the chemicals "hang" around?

like I get the kit and do a couple dozen parts then I don't need it for 6 months is everything toast and I have to buy new chemicals even though I hardly used them up?

Monday I think a call to Caswell is in order.

Eastwood video link. Looks like you have to hand polish everything after plating.

George, there is a plating company close by my shop. He does a bucket of parts, bolts, etc. for like $50. Can't beat it. He does clear zinc and yellow zinc.

The problem would be turning stuff around and keeping track of it. I think I will do this stuff in house. I have some things to do first before taking on plating but will get it done some time this spring. I will likely go with a Caswell kit.

My brother does zinc plating at home. He is a member here also, Dreamsofaz1r. If you would like, I'll have him contact you when I see him next time.

This is interesting, answers some of my questions.

www.medial.com/suzuki/zinc-plated/