Yellow zinc plating resource/shop?

If I took 6 hose clamps to my local plater and asked him to plate them in yellow zinc I would guess it would cost around $10 equivalent (and then only so much because it was a small order -I imagine he would do 20 for about the same amount.

Suggest find another plater!

 

Or new clamps!

 

What do you mean by "original replacement ones?" If you are spending that much you could get aircraft grade stainless steel ones instead.

 

I am all in favor of keeping things original, for example I sourced the 9mm wide cable ties recently for replacement purposes, which are not easy to find, but what attributes does a hose clip need to have to be original? The same manufacturer? If you were to buy a new one from Ferrari, it would almost certainly not be the same manufacturer as used on the car originally, same with all other fasteners, they are just generic parts.

 

Well, considering that the original clamps were plated in yellow cadmium...and that process is pretty much illegal in the US except for some very specific military applications, no, that price sounds cheap. However, today's closest plating that resembles cadmium is yellow zinc. Then we get into hydrogen embrittlement issues....and then liability, if the resultant fastener fails.

Platers set up for large job runs. Unless they're doing the material you want, it will be expensive. As most DIY folks aren't aware of the potential risks of making seemingly innocent parts look pretty, some business may choose to defer the liability.

As Paul Harvey says....and that's the rest of the story.

 

Good point on "originality" topic. I too agree, it only goes so far. new clamps I doubt would detract anyone wanting an orig ferrari/not modified.

 

Was that a flat fee or a batch charge?

I regularly get parts anodized. The shop I use has a minimum batch charge of $150. Whether I bring in 3 little parts, or a milk crate full, it's the same price.
I usually try to get a bunch of guys together and split the charge.

 

Another point about plating is the finish depends on how much time the plater spends on preparation. If the parts are rusty, they will need to remove the rust so they will bead-blast the parts. Even if they use the finest grade glass beads, this will result in a matt finish after plating which is not much like the original shiny finish.
To get back to original they would need to polish the parts before plating, which is very time consuming. It may be the original high quoted cost was for this level of finish.

 

Hello from Germany,

seems, that zinc plating in the US has gotten incredibly expensive because of environment regulations.
I fear we will get the same situation over here in the near future.
I have just - three weeks ago - a bunch or carburettor parts yellow and white zinc plated.
This cost me EUR 30,-- ( ~ $ 38,--).

Best Regards from Germany

Martin
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Steve, could you mention their name, or PM me contact details? I've been looking for a plater and the locals are stupidly expensive.

 

I'm going to send my stuff to you next time! I just picked this up from the plater yesterday. This is what $200 plates in Silicon Valley.
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Many thanks!

I'll wait to see how your job turns out before contacting them

It would be really good if you could take before/after pics?

 

Subscribed...

 

Dave,

I posted up awhile back with examples about a process DaveH developed with platting, chemical and metal engineers in the Mile-High area.

He gets the EXACT same color(s) as OEM thru a multi-step process WITHOUT the embrittlement issues previllent in the conventional process used by most platers.


If I would replate anything and I have, it ALWAYS goes to DaveH. But, time cannot be a factor without bigger bucks. Speed just costs, but I am patient (READ: CHEAP SOB).


Anyone desiring plating has three choices:

You can go DaveH's route (Call him first),

Use the convetional process and plate your parts potentially into the consistancy of china, or

Paint them.

 

Mark,
So do we...This (process) is well documented in most material manuals and near common knowledge by most MEs. As you know, the plating stuff that SRI does not inexpensive. Unfortunately, the mindset of this post is "how cheap can I have it done" without hearing any of the known stated risks. It is unfortunate that many posts go this route.

 

Dave,

Sorry. I'll certainly give you billing too along with Dave in any future posts on the subject. I have adopted Dave primarily as my Ferrari Pap Bear since he lives just a few miles from my parents house in Denver.

I am not a metallurgist, or any kind of an enginner of any sorts, but I do read a fair amount about select subjects that do interest me. I had run into VERY little on this process so assumed it was something relatively new. Maybe my "google" is broken ......


I started out like most seeing how cheap I could get things done. But over time I learned there is A right way to do things and MANY WRONG ways. I am no longer a cheap SOB because cheap is almpost ALWAYS the WRONG thing to do. Doing nothing is often times the better route. I wasted $thousands on "Cheap" that I duely wish I could get back.


I just hate seeing well intentioned guys spending their hard earned nickels (just like I did in the beginning) actually doing more harm, in some cases much more harm to the point of potentially catistrophic consequences, than any possible good.



I'll crawl back under my "Dunce Cap" and sit in the corner now .........

 

Are we still discussing hose clips here? These are not made from hardened steel, no issue. Suspension bolts maybe, hose clips no.