Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 11-10-2021, 02:37 AM   #1
Incognito-A
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Left Coast
Posts: 210
Default Home plating kits

Anyone familiar with currently available home plating kits (chrome, nickel, copper, zinc, blueing, etc) please chime in.

What is your preferred brand? Why?
Incognito-A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2021, 07:32 AM   #2
Mike Peters
Senior Member
 
Mike Peters's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: South East Wisconsin
Posts: 1,279
Default Re: Home plating kits

https://caswellplating.com

I've never tried my own electroplating, but my neighbor has and was happy with the results from Caswell.
Mike Peters is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 11-10-2021, 07:39 AM   #3
Oldbluoval
Senior Member
 
Oldbluoval's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Signal Mtn, TN (SE TN)
Posts: 2,360
Default Re: Home plating kits

I’ve “heard” from buddies that they are decent for copper and cadmium. Nothing further on chrome and nickel
Oldbluoval is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2021, 09:21 AM   #4
aermotor
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 1,099
Default Re: Home plating kits

Any one heard of dipping small parts in molten aluminum foil?

John
aermotor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2021, 09:33 AM   #5
BRENT in 10-uh-C
Senior Member
 
BRENT in 10-uh-C's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Posts: 11,486
Default Re: Home plating kits

The Caswell stuff from my experiences work fairly well on the Cadmium stuff however the time you spend to do it is WAY more than the expense that you can have it professionally done. Cadmium plating done commercially is not expensive.

Flash plating items in Nickel is met with mediocre results using Caswell methods. The prep work (-which has nothing to do with the Caswell offerings) is what makes or breaks the quality of the job. What I have learned is, I can strip the part of the previous plating, do the prep work (buffing, sanding copper, etc.) and then take the 'ready to be dipped' piece(s) to my local plater for them to actually plate and get a MUCH superior job than what I was getting from Caswell kits, and not spend much money for the plating. It is the prep work before dipping that causes the price to be expensive.

Caswell offers good chemicals for Raven finishing hardware.
__________________
.

BRENT in 10-uh-C
.
www.model-a-ford.com
...(...Finally Updated!! )

.
BRENT in 10-uh-C is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2021, 11:05 AM   #6
Incognito-A
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Left Coast
Posts: 210
Default Re: Home plating kits

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Caswell seems to be the big name in the home plating space.

Any rival companies worth a look?
Incognito-A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2021, 11:14 AM   #7
katy
Senior Member
 
katy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 5,011
Default Re: Home plating kits

FWIW, to do chrome or nickle plating, the object has to be copper plated first.
__________________
If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!.
Got my education out behind the barn!

Last edited by katy; 11-10-2021 at 11:15 AM. Reason: Addition
katy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2021, 11:31 AM   #8
Incognito-A
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Left Coast
Posts: 210
Default Re: Home plating kits

Quote:
Originally Posted by katy View Post
FWIW, to do chrome or nickle plating, the object has to be copper plated first.
Nickel (& chrome, I believe) may be plated directly onto other than copper base metals. It depends on the process and preparation.
Incognito-A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2021, 11:42 AM   #9
burner31
Senior Member
 
burner31's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Shawnee, Ok
Posts: 3,471
Default Re: Home plating kits

Being a electroplater for over twenty years I can say stylus plating works great.
I have plated chrome, nickel, gold, silver, cobalt, copper, and a host of other metals, both for cars, motorcycles, farm equipment and space/aircraft. (You should see some of my gold plated coins and other items)
I have traveled to every part of the Country repairing aircraft for the DOD using this method, hell, I even used it on the Shuttle...when it was flying.
I have the portable equipment, I just don't have the chemicals anymore (retired)
Should I sell my plating equipment?
So to answer your question...look into stylus plating
__________________
Keith
Shawnee OK
'31 SW 160-B
burner31 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2021, 12:50 PM   #10
jwmckenzie
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 212
Default Re: Home plating kits

Quote:
Originally Posted by Incognito-A View Post
Nickel (& chrome, I believe) may be plated directly onto other than copper base metals. It depends on the process and preparation.
Yes, Nickel and chrome and many others can be plated directly on various metals. Copper is used under these as a way to smooth out pits and other imperfections. The copper is plated because it is a soft metal then buffed smooth. The nickel and chrome is plated over the copper. Think of the copper as Bondo for plating.
jwmckenzie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-2021, 07:11 AM   #11
nkaminar
Senior Member
 
nkaminar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Western North Carolina
Posts: 3,820
Default Re: Home plating kits

Please be careful with the chemicals. Most are very toxic and/or corrosive.
__________________
A is for apple, green as the sky.
Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die.
Forget the brakes, they really don't work.
The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk.
My car grows red hair, and flies through the air.
Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.
nkaminar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-2021, 01:56 PM   #12
Oldbluoval
Senior Member
 
Oldbluoval's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Signal Mtn, TN (SE TN)
Posts: 2,360
Default Re: Home plating kits

Most chrome directly over steel that I’ve seen peels in a short period.
And rusts quickly
Oldbluoval is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-2021, 03:17 PM   #13
Ed in Maine
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Washington Cty., ME or Flagler Cty., FL
Posts: 1,106
Default Re: Home plating kits

I know I will be criticized for this suggestion but here goes. Take a look at Rust-Oleum Metallic as an alternative to Cadmium Plating. It is called #7277830 Metallic Matte Nickel. From two feet away, it looks pretty good for small parts. Ed
Ed in Maine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-2021, 05:42 PM   #14
Incognito-A
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Left Coast
Posts: 210
Default Re: Home plating kits

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ed in Maine View Post
I know I will be criticized for this suggestion but here goes. Take a look at Rust-Oleum Metallic as an alternative to Cadmium Plating. It is called #7277830 Metallic Matte Nickel. From two feet away, it looks pretty good for small parts. Ed
Eastwood also has/had a copycad product which was a paint as well for cad and zinc. There’s room for everyone Ed, although I personally prefer the real thing.
Incognito-A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-2021, 09:37 PM   #15
burner31
Senior Member
 
burner31's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Shawnee, Ok
Posts: 3,471
Default Re: Home plating kits

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ed in Maine View Post
I know I will be criticized for this suggestion but here goes. Take a look at Rust-Oleum Metallic as an alternative to Cadmium Plating. It is called #7277830 Metallic Matte Nickel. From two feet away, it looks pretty good for small parts. Ed
Small parts? I've used that on bumpers, looks good and touches up easily, you work with what you have
__________________
Keith
Shawnee OK
'31 SW 160-B
burner31 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2021, 12:23 AM   #16
California Travieso
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Moreno Valley, CA
Posts: 940
Send a message via Yahoo to California Travieso
Default Re: Home plating kits

Quote:
Originally Posted by burner31 View Post
Small parts? I've used that on bumpers, looks good and touches up easily, you work with what you have
I picked up a front 30-31 bumper for $20 at swap meet that was painted like that. I’m going to use it on my 30 roadster until I get the body and fenders painted.

David Serrano
California Travieso is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:24 AM.