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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.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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.

Ramesh Khare
- Mumbai
2007

adv.

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