Because l wanted to color my spoke nipples gold as per original and nickel can't be colored, l bought zinc supplies to try it out.
Nickel plated spokes and zinc plated nipples with gold chromate for color.
![](http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag23/kdxGeoff/IMAG2602_BURST002_zps1e0e7289.jpg)
The longer the freshly zinc plated part stays in the chromate, the more color it picks up.
![](http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag23/kdxGeoff/IMAG2597_zps5f5e038e.jpg)
![](http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag23/kdxGeoff/IMAG2600_zps21905f9d.jpg)
l'm finding the zinc easier to do than the nickel because the temperature of the electrolyte only needs to be around 30* compared to 55* for the nickel.
Got my hub paint sorted too. The one on the left has been washed and rubbed with a rag but no polish and on the right is repainted.
![](http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag23/kdxGeoff/IMAG2478_zps8a37b3fe.jpg)