Electroplating Project

[salty_monk]

Ed's work always look brand new... I suspect the engine got that way with some excruciating hours of cleaning followed by prep & painting.

Dan

[scrapper]

What kind of volt / amps power supply do you need, or what range would work best? I was wondering is the engine been plated or painted? Looks great, lots of WOW!!!

[Nessism]

What kind of volt / amps power supply do you need, or what range would work best? I was wondering is the engine been plated or painted? Looks great, lots of WOW!!!

For those that asked...I rebuilt the engine and painted everything while it was apart. The engine cases were sandblasted and then painted with POR-15 engine paint. Engine covers were polished and then sealed with POR-15 clearcoat to protect the finish. The frame was sandblasted in the rusty area and scuffed up otherwise before epoxy primer was applied followed by Por-15 Hardnose paint.

Regarding the power requirements for plating, from what I've read the best results are obtained with less than 3 volts. The current is set based on the surface area being plated - .18 A/sq.in. or something near this. I did some parts early in the week and they are turning out better. Going to play around some more with it this weekend.

[sonnygs1100]

Only if you come down and do all the polishing.

I'm going to look for a computer power supply to try; from what I've read the plating works best with voltages in the 1 volt range. A computer power supply has a 3 volt rail that may work better than the 6/12 I've been using. The goal is to find a way to brighten up the finish without having to do a post plating polishing. Once I figure it out, I'll be open for business.

ive been using that set up for about 8 years and have never found a way out of polishing it at the end . are you gasing your parts in maratic acid first ?

[Nessism]

Getting the hang of this plating business...

Did some yellow chromate parts; the finish turned out with the proper colored patina although the photos don't show it very well.

It's taken me a while to get a handle on how to best prepare the parts for plating as well as post plating clean up. So far so good.

[salty_monk]

Looking good Ed... I have some swingarm bolts for you

[DimitriT]

So are you taking orders yet?

[Dave8338]

Now we need a game of "Name the parts in this photo".
I'm waiting to see how the muffler bearings and rotary gerder turn out!

OH...that would be the rack pieces/parts as in "rack-o-carbs".

LOOKING GREAT ED!!!

[reddirtrider]

Now we need a game of "Name the parts in this photo".
I'm waiting to see how the muffler bearings and rotary gerder turn out!

OH...that would be the rack pieces/parts as in "rack-o-carbs".

LOOKING GREAT ED!!!

Where do I find this mufler bearing you speak of, I think mine is missing or at least worn out after 25+ years.

Oh, and those parts do indeed look great.

[tejasmud]

Getting the hang of this plating business...

Did some yellow chromate parts; the finish turned out with the proper colored patina although the photos don't show it very well.

It's taken me a while to get a handle on how to best prepare the parts for plating as well as post plating clean up. So far so good.

Very nice Ed.

I'm now working with electroplating. lol

What is this "post polishing/clean up?"

You keep mentioning it.

Or, what is the best method you have found?

For the post polish...Wheel?

By hand........is getting tired.