Zinc Plating and Passivating Results

[RaceDiagnostics]

I weighed up buying a kit and separate chemicals and ended up with the kit that seemed better value, but now after using it a while and having to buy more chemicals I think the separate rout would be a bit cheaper. The good thing about the kit is it gets you started with instructions etc. I already had a bench power supply so didn't have that expense but may need to buy a bigger one or get a regulator and just use a car battery which would be fine.

I bought the 10l kit but it only has enough material for a 5l pickle bath so bought more pickle solution and sodium dichromate I discussed earlier.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

PS, I'm not worried about using the sodium dichromate, just take precautions, I use gloves and a face visor in case of a splash. I figure its safer than smoking fags.

 

[Bluemotion]

One of the things I’m concerned about is there toxic fumes? I can cope with handling lethal chemicals fine. @RaceDiagnostics what would you call a ‘common sense’ power pack I can grow with?

I still would like to know which plated finish is the easiest to get started with and produce the most successful end result?

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

If there any toxic fumes from the Gateros kit, you can't smell them. It doesn't use an HCL pickle which does smell, rather the chemicals above. I've got my kit set up in the conservatory and have been using it with the outside door open, no smells in the house.

Plating type depends on what finish you want, but zinc plating is probably the easiest.

PSU depends on the largest part you want to plate, you need 100mA per sq inch, so you can calculate from there. My PSU only goes up to 4A, so I need something bigger and will probably go for this one.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ADJUSTAB...509281&hash=item41ce92d090:g:E0AAAOSwqzFdhU4-

 

[Bluemotion]

All goodies ordered, power pack from eBay, chemicals from gateros. Can’t wait! Already got my fellow motorcyclists waiting at the door for the first item in the magic bath!

 

[mrsrockguru]

Good morning guys, just found this thread. Hopefully I can suckout all your knowledge, as just getting into plating.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

I ended up doing a 4 second pickle and rinse just before passivation. Lots of my parts also came out dull, a quick rub with fine wire wool brings back the shine before the final pickle and passivation.

 

[Bluemotion]

That looks impressive

 

[SleeperSy]

Here are some results to compare.

Zinc plated using the Gateros kit, then passivated using their new eco friendly trivalent chrome solution, unfortunately the passivation rubs off easily even after curing for a few days.

Below is using hexavalent sodium dichromate from ebay, 200g/3l water +10ml of Knockout drain cleaner. I polished the fuel pipe above with wire wool to remove the old passivation, gave it another 20mins of plating then 10 seconds in the passivation. Looks like I've now got it dialled in.

Sorry to dig up an old thread, two question for RaceDiagnostics if I may? (I couldn't work out how to PM him),

Is sodium dichromate 200g/3l water +10ml of Knockout drain cleaner still your recommended recipe for the yellow passivate? Also what acid do you use for activation/etching pre passivate?

Thanks in advance.


Regards


Simon

 

[Seadog]

@RaceDiagnostics

 

[SleeperSy]

Thanks Seadog, I cant seem to send a message using the link.

I can send messages to other members though but not RaceDiagnostics, so a bit confused.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

Is sodium dichromate 200g/3l water +10ml of Knockout drain cleaner still your recommended recipe for the yellow passivate? Also what acid do you use for activation/etching pre passivate?

Thanks in advance.


Regards


Simon

Yes, for the passivation solution. For the pickle I used the solution from gateros, I can't remember what it was now, check on their web site.

 

[SleeperSy]

Thanks RaceDiagnostics for your prompt reply. I also have the Gaterous Pickle, so will use that for the activation.

Kind regards

Simon

 

[AVI_8]

I ended up doing a 4 second pickle and rinse just before passivation. Lots of my parts also came out dull, a quick rub with fine wire wool brings back the shine before the final pickle and passivation.

Did you remember how to put it all back together again with so many parts
Looks great BTW

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

Did you remember how to put it all back together again with so many parts
Looks great BTW

Yes, it all went back together back in April 21. Many pictures was the way to go as my memory is bad.

It's just gone back into hibernation for the winter last week.