Plating Setup

Wow Gary!

Very good. Bitchen!

You're very thorough, that's cool. Can't wait to see a "how to", what ya think?

George

I am getting pretty anxious myself but I can't get ahead of myself. I have used the zinc a lot and I think it is a must for anyone doing much to a car. The rest of it gets a bit more involved. I did one piece in nickel and it came out well. My daughter is restoring my old banana seat bike:



It will be a good project to practice on. I think it will be very usefull when I start the restoration of 1280. I know I can't do everything but I can do a lot. 90% of the chrome expense is in the labor getting it ready to chrome. The actual chroming is the easy part.

Gary

That sounds a lot like paint prep. Hey Gary, the truck in my shop belongs to an old friend of mine. He is the plant manager at the local plating shop. He said he would nickel plate parts for me but I would have to bring them all at one time. They have about a 25000 foot building and many tanks. They do lots of small parts. Just thought I would run that by you as a resorce if you have any problems. Maybe he has ansers. Bill

Thanks Bill. I have a friend of the families who plates as well. I am trying not ask him too much as most of it is a learning process in itself (and I hate to ask favors). Caswell has a great manual (although not as organized as it could be). I find myself trying stuff and re-reading everything. The more I mess with it the more I learn. They also have an online forum and support which is very good. The other thing I found is caswell is tuned to how they do things and by going outside their network you get into issues where people do things a little different. One doesn't seem to be 100% compatable with everyone else. For instance I am not sure if I got plating solution from my friend if it would be the same make up as the systems I have been using. I think I am in pretty good shape but I just got to do it.

The entire thing is a learning process but there is one thing I am getting mixed info on. He says the "Hard chrome" (for tools) is the same chrome as decorative chrome only that you don't prep the surface the same (copper, ets). Caswell claims it's different. Their solution is different although I do not know the difference. I don't know if the guy here is only "in-tune" to what he is doing or if Caswell is just selling 2 different batches for marketability.

Gary

Gary,
I could not help but notice, what must be a 73 T/A in your pic. Is that yours ? My first new car was a 73 T/A same color minus the large screaming chicken. Loved the car. Sold it for my first Pantera.

Yes, when I was 17 I was looking at one for $2K. Dad ask what engine; I told him 455. He said no way in hell. I wanted one ever since. I finally got it but it was a lot more than 2k:

I must say that the '73 T/A is my favorite of all Trans Ams. There have been more than a few in my family so I am very fond of them. On my list of "Own before I die" is a Buccaneer red '73 455 SD..........wish me luck.

Ron

Yes the SD are getting up there in price. This is not a SD. The other reason I like this car is I can take the family to the drive in and things like that.

Gary

Very sweet Gary. My 73 also was a standard 455. The SD was in short suppply in that year. Much more production in 74. To me the bumper and rear window changes ruined a beautiful car in 74. The standard 455 still had plenty of punch and the car handled better than any other domestic at the time. Enjoy your "second " car.
Jeff

Back to your plating post. Does anyone have a suggestion for re plating the pot metal emblems (Detomaso & Pantera) on the rear ? The after market repros I have seen look like crap. I have considered just painting them satin black, but would prefer a quality re chrome.

Jeff, pot metal is not hard to plate but requires attention to the prep and sub plating. I am not experienced in it and would not begin to tell you what is involved but if that is all you are doing I would sugest a quality automotive platter as they will be use to that. Here is one company with good credentials:

http://www.advancedplating.com/

Gary