13 replies to this topic

[limo]

I would have thought easier to buy good ones rather than repair and chrome.

you only need good frames?

Are they expensive?

[Ice]

I would have thought easier to buy good ones rather than repair and chrome.
you only need good frames?
Are they expensive?

Try find ones that arnt pitted rocking horse stuff

There is a place in S.A. that does this sort of stuff

[DMLC71]

I hope this helps
* die cast can't be chromed. It was a cheaper option in 60s to 70s to substitute the cost of chroming.
* cracks are repairable but difficult to find a person to do it.
Cheers

[S pack]

Chrome for Zinc Diecast Parts

What is Zinc Diecast ?

Also known as Pot Metal, Zinc diecast is basically a casting of metal alloy which contains zinc. It is commonly used for casting of metal products or components such as door handles, bonnet emblems, badges, light fittings, brackets, and many other automotive, household or general hardware fittings or trim.

Zinc die cast is generally a lower quality and cheaper form of casting (compared to cast iron or cast aluminium). It contains a number of impurities and can be prone to pitting and roughness, As such the quality of the material can make it more difficult to achieve and maintain a quality surface finish.

Corrosion of plated automotive parts

The problem with this material is that corrosion or deterioration goes far deeper than is usual for other materials. Car parts that are exposed to the elements (hot, cold, wet) are particularly prone to developing corrosion related problems. Even once restored using traditional methods it is very common for chrome restorations of zinc die cast parts to fail within a short time. Corroded chrome plated die cast is often easy to spot, especially on external parts that have been exposed to the elements. Its characteristics are 'bubbling' or lifting of plating, roughness piercing through the surface of the chrome and sometimes chalk like patches on the surface.

However it is not always so obvious. Often the corrosion is found beneath the old plating once it has been stripped back to bare metal for refurbishment. Before the item can be replated the surface must be treated to prevent corrosion re-occuring.

You can read the whole article here. http://www.aclassmet...ecast-parts.php

[Ice]

I hope this helps
* die cast can't be chromed. It was a cheaper option in 60s to 70s to substitute the cost of chroming.
* cracks are repairable but difficult to find a person to do it.
Cheers

Wrong on both counts

Mate of mine just had his mirror stems done for his LJ Torana
better than new

[meanmachine72]

hey kev..mate i think i sent my mirrors to a guy down there..cost about $380 for both mirrors

found a card and yes i did send them to them 

EPT chrome plating Specialists

02 6297-0535 

Unit 2/67 Thurralilly Street Queanbeyan NSW 2620

[limo]

Try find ones that arnt pitted rocking horse stuff

There is a place in S.A. that does this sort of stuff

I have stack of them in the shed and a half dozen on cars for parts or fix

will have a look

maybe clean up some more and make some money

[DMLC71]

Mate of mine had his mirror stems done for his Lj
and it came off after a couple of years. Stay tuned.
Cheers

[S pack]

Mate of mine had his mirror stems done for his Lj
and it came off after a couple of years. Stay tuned.
Cheers

There are electroplaters and there are ELECTROPLATERS. Perhaps your mate should try a different electroplater next time?

 

Cheers

Dave.

[Ice]

Mate of mine had his mirror stems done for his Lj
and it came off after a couple of years. Stay tuned.
Cheers

Research helps

[EunUCh]

We had a similar problem with die cast door handles off a 1933 car , the parts were sent to Vinnies metal polishing and plating to be re-chromed but we got

call from them and were advised that if they chromed the handles that it would not last very long and just start peeling off , however they did know of a place

in QLD that cleans up the die cast and then dips the part in some sort of resin to seal up the metal and re- profiles the shape ready for plating.

 

Has been about 5 years since we had this done and they still look good , one mistake I made was handling them like eggs and one hit the floor and to my surprise and relief to hip pocket  it did not chip , might be worth a call to Vince but I think it was Louise that rang and advised us.

[ChrisLC]

Answering an old post so nobody else falls into this trap.

 

My LC tail-light surrounds were sent off to be re-chromed by my panel beater. They acid bathed the surrounds to strip the original plating, and failed to remove the threaded inserts first. Thus the zinc plating on the threads was also removed meaning the original nuts were useless. Furthermore, the plating process effectively welded many of these inserts in place as the chrome plating lapped the base of the threaded inserts. These inserts will most likely break off when you try to remove them, meaning you now have to drill them out and re-tap the hole. Fun, fun, fun, especially if one of the small drill bits break off in the hole.