Has anyone tried out the Eastwood Tin-Zinc Plating kit? I got one after plating some hose clamps using a friend's kit. The clamps came out nice, and looked almost as good as new. I tried it myself on a intake vacuum fitting, and it wasn't as shiney; maybe I didn't use enough brake cleaner and it wasn't clean enough.

I would like to ask people who have used it successfully for tips. I was planning on plating screw heads, hose clamps and all those rusty water fittings after de-rusting.

thxZ

Edited November 15, 200915 yr by TomoHawk

A zinc plating kit is what I told my wife I want for Xmas this year, only I am looking at the kit from Caswell. I hope to be plating by early next year.

Rich

The shinier the pre-product, the better it'll come out. I bought the Eastwood kit last year. IIRC, it also comes with a tube of Autopor metal polish. Used in conjunction with the Plating kit worked well for me.

But just like any plating, it can be polished off, so be carefull not to remove what you just put on. Keep fresh batteries on hand and order an extra stick of Zinc. Not sure how much you'll be plating but it will go fast and you won't want to wait for the extra stick to show up.

I used mine on small brackets, nuts, bolts and washers. (small brackets included the spark plug wire retaining brackets on the valve cover and inlet housing.)

Edited November 16, 200915 yr by Zs-ondabrain

The electrode is a Tin-Zinc alloy, Dave.

No... Really Tom? After buying 3 sticks, you'd think I already knew that. DUH!

Seriously? should I go back and write "Tin-Zinc Alloy" every where that I wrote Zinc?

what are you trying to say? It's the same damn thing. Same kit you inquired about. Sorry to sound snippy, but I (we) already knew that it's a tin/zinc alloy. and when you order The kit, you should get EXTRA Tin-Zinc Alloy peices. Better?

Going to bed, apparently my anti-grumpy pills are wearing off.

Dave

I would be interested in seeing some pics of the results that this kit gives. Dave, you seem to take pics of everything; I know you've got something.

The fuel filler ring and the fuel doors lock clip, the hatch stopper and the doors lock clasp were all plated with the Tin-Zinc plating kit. Then polished with a soft cotton towel or a light metal polish.

Sorry bout the other post, he just gets on my nerves. Eric ESTRADA sunglasses and dresses like Magnum P.I.... What-ever.

Dave

Hmm, that looks great! I might have to try this kit after all.

Tomo - Have you tried asking questions on the Eastwood garage forum? The Caswell site has a forum also. Any plating problems you are experiencing, probably has been encountered and solved by these guys.

I started reading years ago about these home use barrel plating systems and came to the conclusion that it was just easier and not much more expensive, to send it out and let the pros do it. I don't know if that is the case today or not. I did buy several pieces from Norm Murphy at Zeddsaver and although beautifully done, it is an expensive way to get your cadmium & zinc plating done. Shipping cross country both ways is the deal breaker. There doesn't seem to be anyone doing cadmium or zinc plating local to me anymore. Seeing the great results Dave has achieved is encouraging and maybe a home plating system is worth another look.

I've had no problems so far, but I always do some research before starting something new. I tried it using a friends equipment, and would like to have success myself.

ThxZ for the tip on the other forums- I've been through the Caswell website but didn't notice a forum, and would have not thought that they had there own Q&A systems. I'll check into it later.

The only real questions on my mind is what to plate or polish!

Polish/buff:

thermostat housing

coolant inlet & outlet

plate & buff:

hose clamps

rusty OE screws & bolts

miscelaneous brackets

alternator pulley & bracket (silver caliper paint?)

thxZ

Edited November 16, 200915 yr by TomoHawk

I haven't yet but am planning on reading about peoples results.

http://forum.caswellplating.com/

And the Eastwood forum: http://forum.eastwood.com/