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-----Plating on zinc products
We are doing gold plating with electrophoretic lacquer on zinc "casted" products. Upon doing the plating we find that about 30% of the pieces have black marks & spots on them. We would like to know where we are going wrong. What is the process we should adopt before "nickel plating" the items?
Pankaj Mehta- New Delhi, India
2006
Diecastings which will be plated must be of high quality. It may be possible to successfully paint or powder coat a casting, and yet that same casting not be of high enough quality for successful plating. Step 1 is to inspect the casting and if there are any cold shuts or areas of porosity after trimming, throw it back for remelt. It is very hard to start with a die casting and finish with a high quality plated part unless you have significant experience at it. Please try to get help from a supplier or consultant.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
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2006
Dear Pankaj,
To avoid such problems, you must plate bright nickel on zinc die-casting articles. This is a common practice in Gujarat which give almost 100% OK results.
- Mumbai
2007
adv.
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