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-----Electroplating metal parts with rubber sections (p/s hoses, a/c hoses)
Q. Hi.
I normally get bolts zinc plated in my choice of either gold or silver colour.
The parts I will need plated this time are power steering hoses, custom ones that I will get made. The issue will be the hardpipes will be the old 20 year old ones as I am getting the rubber replaced to lengthen them.
I see from factory these are Zinc coated. I am wondering is it possible to zinc coat these without the acid bath eating up the rubber. I am unsure what most electroplaters use but I believe it's a 10% solution of Hydrochloric acid.
My plater has assured me "Won't hurt it", but I would like to run this through you guys first.
Thanks
Perth - Western Australia
November 30, 2015
A. Hi Boris. I also doubt that the plating processes will harm the rubberized plastics that the hoses are made of. But plating the assembled hoses is not the ideal way to do it, and brings difficulties like having to get the whole assembly spotless instead of just the fittings, increased drag-out of chemicals from one tank to the next, etc.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
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