Nickel plating at home, looks straight forward.......

[kdx Geoff]

Who's had a go at this ?

Be very convenient to plate nuts, bolts, spokes and things as you need them.



 

[frostype400]

I have a zinc kit at the shed not bad handy like you say but time a bit time consuming.

[Andrew L]

I've got a zinc kit and its very handy the time wanted taking parts to and from the platers and having them lose bit is far more than the time of doing it yourself and nowhere nears as expensive

[oldyzman]

Unless you want to be the one and only person to single handed rebuild the bike then i would highly recomend getting all of the bits and pieces and taking them to the local plating shop, I did it recently with a CR125Z rebuild and was only charge $55 to zinc / die all of the bolts nuts and shafts no spokes though.

[kdx Geoff]

Its not a money thing, its convenience with a bit of 'l did that myself' thrown in 

So blokes, did you buy a kit or buy the chemicals you needed and supply the other bits yourself ?

[Cabmkr]

Geoff,
     I made my own Zinc kit for maybe $50 with great results. I have plated everything from nuts and bolts, spokes to rear brake rods (using a wallpaper tray). The mix is important, I think a 100 grams of sea salt to 1 litre of vineger. And yes it takes a while but being the closest plater is an hour and a half away and I can do bits as I need them. I can find the link that I used for reference  in the morning (2 am here) and some photos if you like. I also do it because I like to say I can.

[frostype400]

I just bought the kit mixed it up and do bits that I need still you get bolts that are gold zinc plated or black so then I would get them new or done by some one.

[Mike52]

Bought the Zinc kit off Janes and it works fine.
Will get the nickel one next time I order and yes it looks easy to use, just the initial clean up is the main bit.
Cheers

[Lewis]

I've been doing my own Nickel plating for a while as the local platers work is crap and he's also very expensive(he's the only one in town and the next closest is Melb).One very important thing to remember is not to introduce either copper or zinc to the mix.It'll destroy it in a flash.Caswell plating supplies are great to deal with.Not that straight forward though until you get the hang of it and yes preparation is everything. Buying new nuts and bolts is a better option sometimes.

[Paul552]

Bought the Zinc kit off Janes and it works fine.
Will get the nickel one next time I order and yes it looks easy to use, just the initial clean up is the main bit.
Cheers

I use the Jane kit but I glass blast everything 1st. Easy as!!

[frostype400]

Glass bead blasting? I have never tried that Paul how are the results from that is that all you do blast rinse then plate?

[Paul552]

Glass bead blasting? I have never tried that Paul how are the results from that is that all you do blast rinse then plate?

Yes real quick blast with glass ( never tried sand )
Rinse in water then quick rinse in the part clean (not the Jane clean)
Rinse water again and in to the bath for plating.
Works unreal and takes no time.

You will get a real shiny and even plate.

[kdx Geoff]

Thanks for all the input 

l ordered a blasting cabinet last week to prepare for painting and plating. Caswell has the chemicals, looks easy enough to buy off them.

l imagine the technique will come with a bit of practice

cheers

Geoff

 

 

[frostype400]

Thanks Paul I will be trying that where do you buy your part clean? thanks Michael.

[Paul552]

Thanks Paul I will be trying that where do you buy your part clean? thanks Michael.

Mine came with the kit.
It is just dish washing stuff.

I would recomend when you start to "plate out your bath"