Plating parts - worth the effort?

[Fritz500]

I have been reading up on DYI zinc plating vs cadmium plating kits (as well as electroless nickel plating) and was wondering have forum members done any of this themselves and what are the recommendations?

I'll get some of the aged chrome done by professionals despite the scary costs.

I've got at least two (perhaps 3) bikes to restore so it seems it could make sense to do it myself if the final product comes out as good as NOS finish (as I remember it). Cost (within reason) isn't a huge factor.

Thanks

[Wingspan]

I've got the Eastwood plating kit. It's very easy to use and produces a nice finish. Don't expect a chrome finish, but it looks good.

[Fritz500]

Wingspan,
Wow that looks good. Is that zinc plating? I assume polishing the part before plating gives a better finish. Does it take a post plating polish too?

Cheers

[Wingspan]

Wingspan,
Wow that looks good. Is that zinc plating? I assume polishing the part before plating gives a better finish. Does it take a post plating polish too?

Cheers

It's a tin-zinc alloy plating. This is the kit I use:

http://www.eastwood.com/ew-electroplati ... -zinc.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The parts you see in the pic were beadblasted, cleaned, then plated. After plating I just used a small wire brush to remove the gray residue that covers the pieces after plating. A hand polish brightens them up further. The instructions say not to machine polish parts. My guess is the plating isn't strong enough to handle a buffer. I have not tried polishing parts prior to plating, but I'd assume that would increase the quality of the finish.

[Fritz500]

Wingspan,
I'll shop around for an Australian supplier who does that sort of kit but I'm sure it'll cost way more than that stuff.

Cheers