Topic: Zinc plating

[Building 3]

I am ready to send the parts that should be zinc plated out to the plater. He asked me if I wanted standard zinc which is a bit dull finish or the bright finish which is not glossy but certainly brighter than standard. Any recommendation as to how to proceed? Thanks. 1966 Dearborn December 1965 Convertible. 289 2v auto.

[jwc66k]

He asked me if I wanted standard zinc which is a bit dull finish or the bright finish which is not glossy but certainly brighter than standard. Any recommendation as to how to proceed?

Try the standard zinc, when Ford got the hardware from its suppliers, moved it thru the inventory cycle, issued it to the floor, it had bounced around so any shine was worn off.
You should consider bead blasting everything before it gets plated. That will give the items a dull look. I use metal plumbers tape to hold 1/4 and 5/16 inch dia screws and bolts, shower curtain hangers for anything with a hole in it, 3/8 and larger bolts I hold in the other hand. For small items, I use a metal container with holes to let the glass beads out (Eastwood has one), or medium size alligator clips if there's only a couple to do. Do not touch the bead blasted items without gloves. Your fingers will leave a slight amount of oil. I've been using those methods for over 20 years.
Jim

[Building 3]

Jim, thanks. They will go to the plater tomorrow. Tom

[J_Speegle]

You'll find that different terms are used for the same finish depending on where you are in the states or even the world. Some times taking an example will help

Seen terms such as bright, clear and silver all describing the same zinc finish.