Which metal finish for your classic parts?

[mitchipoo06]

Im currently on with a full resto of my 2cv, the time had come where i need to get a shed load of parts reconditioned. Things that need attention include:

Hinges, brackets, fan covers and other general parts....

Im a first timer in this resto game so would be greatful of a few hints and tips on the best options out there!

I want to do everything 'properly' so would like to stay away from hammerite and such, aiming for an 'as new' look.

I would love to get them done in the silvery-goldy-oil in the sun finish that many modern parts seem to have, most commonly seen by myself on door catches etc..

So, over to you chaps! Any top tips?

Thanks, Mitch

[//j17]

Depending on the specific colour, check out Frost (www.frost.co.uk).

Zinc Phosphate - http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp?productID=7...
Golden cad - http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp?productID=9...
Silver cad - http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp?productID=8...

[guru_1071]

halfords also sell the 'plastic kote' range of paints which includes some pretty good gold and silver type finishes.

ive just rebuilt all the brake bits of my mini and repainted them with the gold, it looks pretty good and would pass as a zinc pasivated finish - dont laquer it afterwards or it goes a funny brown colour (whoops), just give it a couple of coats and leave it

ive just done a load of stuff with the silver type finish as well and its great.

to be fair to halfords, the rest of the paint stuff they sell is pretty good as well!!!

[mitchipoo06]

Hmmmm, thanks for the replys guys.

I dont want to sound like a pansy but could i get these finishes done profesionaly?

I.E Etch primed and then coated, am i right to assume its like galvanizing parts only with a different substance?

If this is the case are there any know places in south/west Yorkshire?

Cheers!

[rhys27]

bit far away from you (understatement), but Premier Plating in High Wycombe is sh*t hot! specialists in zinc, chrome, nickel and anodized plating. very good service, did a brilliant job on some jaguar parts for my old man.

[hlc engineering]

We have a lot of parts plated in zinc and passivate and it gives a superb finish at very reasonable cost....much better than the Frost product which is a copy of the real finish.
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[mitchipoo06]

Seems like zinc is the way to go, had a look at the Premier Plating website and they seem to be pretty smart! Im going to have a full box of bits so postage is out of the question and they seem just a little far away to drive down! Surely there must be somewhere of similar capability in South or West Yorkshire, can anybody recomend a place?

Thanks for the replys chaps...

[signalyellow]

having had quite a few bits done over the last few years most metal finishers will do zinc pass etc, it works out the same cost whether one bolt of a bucket full so to save some dosh and take all in one go. One point to note - zinc pass does not take heat very well and tends to go dull quite quickly. There is an additive to make it more tolerant for heatproofing I believe but is probably going down a route not needed in this case

[Gaspode]

Has anyone tried the Frost home plating kits? I'm wondering whether it would be worth investigating, given the high costs and long turnaround time quoted by platers I have contacted.

[david.h]

Zinc & yellow passivation is illegal n0w for many applications...The yellow pass is the problem, there are pages of regs banning heavy metals "ChromeVI" is the cry.Clear passivation often has a bluish colour & is less hazardous. Environmental & embrittlement issues are the reason why most modern fasteners have painted (organic) finishes whih have better corrosion resistance and are environmentally friendlier.
That said zinc can be done at a cost by platers with the right approvals...even cadmium plating can be done for Aerospace & military uses.
Do not have Tappers Zinc etc plated unless the parts are proprley de-embrittled, High tensile (metric 8.8 & higher) will lose their strength if not de-embrittled for at least 24 hours. a minefield for the unwary!