Summary for lab-metal electroplating Discussion
Lab-metal for electroplating is the central question in this thread, and the answer from P.J. Tell’s reply is a clear no: Lab-metal is described as a plastic with metal powder filler, so it cannot be electroplated. For a vehicle restorer wanting to nickel-cobalt alloy plate parts, the suggested alternatives are brass brazing, which can be plated, or lead body filler, which can also be plated but is often impractical because most plating shops are not set up for it. The discussion is brief and one-sided, with no conflicting opinions offered. The practical takeaway is that if the goal is a plated repair on metal parts, a plating-compatible filler or brazed repair is needed rather than Lab-metal.
Q. I’m in the process of restoring a Vehicle. I wish to nickel-cobalt alloy electroplate some of the parts. Can Lab-metal
⇦ on
or
Amazon [affil link]
be used on metal to be electroplated?
Thank you
P.J.Tell
Vehicle restorer – Bundall, Qld, Australia
2005
A. No. Lab-metal is a plastic with metal powder filler. It cannot be electroplated. You could use brass brazing, which can be plated. Lead body filler can also be plated, but most shops are not equipped to do so.
Jeffrey Holmes, CEF
Spartanburg, South Carolina
A. You may use Lab-metal
⇦ on
or
Amazon [affil link]
which is a metal filler that can be plated over.
Dennis Aikman
– Lawrence, Massachusetts
A. Lab-metal
⇦ on
or
Amazon [affil link]
can be plated provided you follow some specific instructions. I plate over Lab-Metal after it has been applied and sanded to profile. I then zincate the part, apply a flash copper plate to the part then plate with acid copper. I then sand to final shape and polish before nickel plating. I have had no failures using Lab Metal.
John Peterson
– Eugene, Oregon