Zinc Plating Steel on the Cheap and Applying Yellow Chromate (Part 1of 2)

[@ashleysigler9793]

Do you measure by taste or should I use 1g of epsom salt per 10ml vinegar?

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Your ratio is correct, but here is recipe. 1 Liter 5% white vinegar 100 grams epsom salt 120 grams sugar (makes it taste better) optional 8-10 sq in. pieces of zinc; Qty 2 1 amp per 10-15 sq in @ approx 1.5-4 volts zinc plate positive & part negative Scale these ratios as needed. The sugar is suppose to reduce zinc grain growth to act as a brightener but I haven't noticed that it has any effect, so I just omit it now. Maybe it will work for you.

[@ashleysigler9793]

Thank you for the useful information!! Your videos are great.

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Thanks:)

[@vincentboyle5957]

Ashley Sigler p

[@nitrousshovelhead]

by taste. that's funny

[@blast3613]

Best, most effective tutorial I've seen. I was struggling with other peoples methods and this saved me, literally, lol. Cheers from 5 years in the future.👍

[@huskywingspan]

8 years later and I found this extremely helpful! I've been trying to find out how to restore this plating on old Atari arcade machine parts.

[@asressaraia2340]

This is one of the most effective presentation I have ever seen. Well done and a million thanks.pls never loose your qualities of an Instructor and a person of good will.Asress

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Thank you!

[@matthewtoto9856]

Agreed. Very informative and well done. Always wanted to learn how to do this. And it was entertaining as well. Going to give this a try next weekend. Thank you so much!

[@jimtrimble3040]

Gee Arnold, I don't recall you putting a gun to any critic's head to make them watch your enjoyable videos. I am now a subscriber because of your quick witted responses to the jerkwads and your ease of delivery of information. Thank you kindly

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Thank you for your comments. I think some people just don't like anything, themselves included.

[@stanfordcoffee]

3 minutes of information compressed into a 30 minute video.

[@oldschoolcars3318]

How kind of you to show the gratitude and appreciation so much needed in today's world. I hope we did not keep you from your study of curmudgeonry

[@sure5291]

agreed

[@MafiZed]

decompressed

[@puntabachata]

KZbin limits me to 2x playback speed 😂

[@kingropplebopplesoppy2634]

@@MafiZed the sarcasm went right over your head

[@1pcfred]

Dude, you're getting a subscribe for that spoonful.

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Thanks! I just saw your comment.

[@PowderMill]

❌🚨❌ URGENT PROBLEM!!! Dude... That Spoonfull Deserved 2x , So I Gave You *TWO* “THUMBS UP CLICKS”. BUT.... I have a sneaking suspicion that DOMINION and/or THE DEMONCRATS are running the VOTE COUNTING. BECAUSE -->> The FIRST click gave you an increase of ONE “+”, then the second click LOWERED IT BY ONE !! 😉👍🏻 😷 Great Video...Thanks!

[@deankay4434]

RBAD RBAD >There is a semi with 896,000 spoons fulls going into three states. I hope the driver is paid over time!

[@garrettdlouhy5531]

A master chef always samples the sauce!

[@sandyt4343]

That was an excellent video, everything was well explained and obviously you understood the process as thoroughly as need be for the do it yourselfer Thanks a lot for posting it and to be honest I didn't think there was any way you were going to drink that spoon full of vinegar. I remember giving my daughter some for medicinal purposes and she had the same reaction, then I tried it and I realized it was Apple cider vinegar I was supposed to be using. She reminds me of that still 30 years later. Keep up the good work

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Thanks so much :)

[@markyoungoutdoors2497]

Omg…that was a good belly laugh when you sampled the solution. 😂

[@plumberman19]

Gave a like for that drinking of the solution lol👍🏼😂

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Thanks!

[@lhongkho1091]

Yeah made my day. Thanks op

[@tiemsoutdoors9682]

Lol. When you drank the liquid. 😂😂you were talking funny after that. 😂😂👍

[@Waltkat]

Good info, thanks. Video is more tolerable to watch at 1.25X or 1.50X speed though. BTW, if you connect the power supply to the zinc plates in the beginning, you'll prime the solution a lot faster.

[@michaelhaiden6718]

Holy moly man get to it

[@JohnCarder]

A simple improvement is just a make a round anode that goes all around tank, and hence around the part to be plated. If you have a strange shape - for example a bowl - then you can add another little anode in the middle of the bowl to ensure that it's plated too. (Source: That's what we used to do when silver plating big spoons and ladles).

[@JohnCarder]

Also, for best results suspend the part vertically between the anodes...

[@JohnCarder]

Finally, better NOT to use steel wool to clean; particles of iron will remain in the soft zinc and accelerate corrosion...

[@warrenthomas1253]

That was epic you tasting the solution. It was also old school afford for getting likes. Well you well earned every like

[@ronarndt6722]

Great video! Thank you for sharing this! Could you make some more video showing the process on some other items to show how it turns out? Do you have any learned improvements you can share?

[@unclequack5445]

I thumbs upped your video because you actually did it.

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Thanks

[@deankay4434]

Once a chromated part has hardened, have you ever tried spray a clear on it? Automotive clears are two part and hard once cured, sticks to everything but certain results of can on clearcoat can has darkened the color. So under a vehicle is a harsh environment. Working on imports since the late 60’s, but at dealerships in the 70’s, boy, they sure love their chromate, yellow-zink, What every you want to call it, but ever but, bolts, latch, cap, cover, pulleys, etc. I still own a 1969 Datsun 1600 Roadster. It’s a two door convertible with a ful peremeter box frame. No flexing there. If use placed an MG “B” or Midget onto a normal hoist and left the ticket on the seat, you can’t open the doors. New! That is if they would start and run off the transport. The driver had jumper cables, two short chains and electric winch to get them on the semi & off in a controlled manor. We had so many none-running new vehicles, the service manager purchased an electric car pusher that a first glance, looked like a snow thrower. It made by the twin cities to this day in 2021. This was 1977. The next year I took 8 test, 60 questions each and passed all. I became an ASE Master Tech in 1978. Re-cert test were 40 questions but after five year or so. So nice & clean, polished, zink plated and dipped until color was matched. You know, you can take a 2” wide mild steel strip, place a scratch mark at 1”, dip to mark at 4 seconds, deeper to second mark another 4 seconds and stop at the top. Now, depending on how deep your bucket is, but divide into 4 or 5 segments, with the bottom the darkest and so forth. That way you can create a gauge to show the color choices if you’re buddy wanted to slip some pocket change your way for his parts. I have rebuilt hundreds of carburetors over the years, from Q-Jet 4bbl, Ford 7200/7400VV, to side draft soled, Muniki, and even carbs the said could not be fixed. The dealer parts had paper books & the top half w/choke was circled and indicated as part #1. Dodge Colt, D50 pickups, Omni’s all had Coolant to sealed housing with a wax inside. It expanded with great force against a piston that pushed a rod, that unloaded tension off a heavy gear, then a spring allow the choke to open. The screw below that wax, had a jam nut sealed with red epoxy. Chipped epoxy off and backed off jam nut, run the screw in. The wax over time would shrink. Choke never did open. But work on EFI injectors in 1977 on the 280Z. The other two would not touch them. It and the Cadillac Seville w/5.7L where they only two with an electric injector in each cylinder. Not to be confirm with Rochester mechanical or Bausch CIS air-plate system. The 280Z was an in-line 6, but had 7 injectors. The injector #7 sprayed only with temperature. It acted as choke and ran off a single thermo-time switch. Stamped on the side was time/temp max. Still have a metal box with that stuff in it. Right next to metal chrome tach/dwell meter and 7 distributor wrenches. I must be old. Nope, just seasoned.

[@davidflaugher6750]

In an effort to standardize on units and to make the method of measure based on common household kitchen measuring devices, at least here in the USA, I offer the following: 1 liter = 34oz and that is 4.2 cups 100 grams = 3.5oz = 2.5 tablespoons (@ 2.66 g/cc density for epsom salts) 120 grams = 4.2oz = 5 tablespoons (@1.59 g/cc density for table sugar) Most folks may not have a gram scale handy.

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Thank you for the conversions :)

[@samrodian919]

God what a price hike in 5 years. Here in the UK in August 2022 the price of a square piece of zinc sheet approx 4"" x 4" x 0.004" ( actually 100x100 mm x 0.1 mm) is nearly £8 GBP and that's fucking scandalous!

[@ArnoldsDesign]

The politicians and bureaucrats have effectively destroyed the world economy over the last two years. Incompetent and corrupt SOB's! the whole f'n lot of them.

[@madmanmechanic8847]

You didn't go into the zinc chromate solution . How much is it per gallon and where do you get it ?

[@spendy6985]

Lol at 12:55 🤣 good effort man

[@mrmidnight32]

Would you ever need more than 5amps to do this? I’m looking at buying a 60v 5a unit or a 30v 10a model

[@MCatwar]

even though this video is a bit old, I have some insight/questions that someone here may know an answer to. If I'm trying to process a batch of 50 m6x10 fasteners, let's say, hanging each one on copper wire would be excruciatingly time consuming. Since we need the conductivity, can I use a wire-mesh basket, put negative lead on it (obviously), and poke the fasteners through(i.e., only hanging from the bottom of the hex head), and then do a second plating after each fastener has been turned upside down to ensure contact of the bottom of the head? This way, you could do multiple fasteners at once and all it takes is putting them in the basket and flipping them once.

[@ronbrown2770]

Hell of a way to get a thumbs up but you got it

[@wxfield]

Excellent demonstration of plating with zinc and chromating the surface.

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Thanks

[@BruceLee-xn3nn]

​@@ArnoldsDesigncan you yellow chromate over valve covers that are already chromed or need to strip chrome off first?

[@DiecastResurrection]

You earned it!

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Thanks

[@ClownWhisper]

FYI go on eBay find a chunk of zinc I think I paid $7 for a big Ingot of it 99.8% pure zinc metal and fill up a beaker of water break off a chunk set it in there and drizzle a little bit of sulfuric acid in there until it starts bubbling. Apply little heat when it slows down bubbling or a little more sulfuric acid wait till the metal is gone filter through a coffee filter cook it down by half I probably have three quarters of a pound of zinc crystals just from doing that overnight last night

[@ArnoldsDesign]

I assume that makes zinc sulfate? I had some fun with that a while back. I partly filled a water bottle with battery acid, dropped some zinc inside, and put a balloon on top. It fills with hydrogen pretty quickly.

[@johnviviano318]

Enjoyed your video on plating. Where do you purchase the yellow, blue and black chromate?

[@ArnoldsDesign]

caswellplating.com/

[@AaronRiegel]

The taste test was awesome

[@choppergirl]

My home building boat expert told me Zinc Nickel Chromate plating is even more durable. Maybe just a different chemical or metal anode or extra step. Worth looking into...

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Nickel over zinc sounds more durable, but I honestly don't know anything about plating nickel. I know copper and nickel is very durable. I have some nickel acetate laying around here for sealing anodizing dye. I could try that. What's the worst that could happen? If you hear a faint explosion due north, you'll know things didn't go well.

[@MrBlazin6969]

You ever give this a try

[@2slofouru]

Thanks for your reply mentioning vapor blasting, but I have no access to that. Seems like normal glass beading would be my option, worked well to clean it so maybe if I try and do it just enough to change the finish between plates.

[@ArnoldsDesign]

That will work. Just make sure the beads are clean.

[@briangray2869]

I'm going to try this process with my fuel pump hanger, obviously larger so I will try a five gallon bucket. I'd like to do the chromate solution, but not sure if the amount I need for my one part will be cost effective. Can you brush the chromate solution on and rinse it off instead of dipping? Thanks again for the great videos.

[@craftsmanbyheart]

Hey that's been my wish as well!... I really dislike the corrosion that attacks the top exterior and even interior of sending units. I actually created a bath on the top of a tank just to plate the exterior of a sending unit and a narrow margin around the sending unit (90 camry). Trimmed and taped cardboard around the tank contours and sealed and caulked the inner side of cardboard with Geocel caulk and brushable sealer. The bath set up worked great (didn't leak a drop even with the rust cleaning solution (muriatic acid) inside! However the zinc plating I was attempting didn't cover evenly. The un eveness ruined the gaines.. Some areas plated thick and others stayed bare. Bare spots would rust immediately.. I was bummed. I hope to learn what mistakes I made and try a similar better attempt on a tank some time in the near future.

[@nahoolqaliey2311]

you mic the chromate with what? with water or battery water?

[@2slofouru]

Would stainless wool or even copper wool contaminate less than normal steel wool? I'm about to do the process and want to be sure the zinc adheres strongly. I also got the chromate chemical for when the plating is done. Can't wait to see how it comes out.

[@ArnoldsDesign]

I've never had an issue with regular steel wool. The stainless wool I have is really crumbly, so I don't use it much.

[@destructiveeyeofdemi]

Thank you,! Thorough, clear. Have experimented with silver plating and will enjoy this zinc process .

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Thanks for your comments :)

[@375tommyg]

I found another YT video concerning zinc plating. Plain tap water with baking soda was used rather than vinegar. A single zinc block was dropped into the water and a 1-1/2V AA battery was used. According to the video the results were good. Any comments on the differences in quality verses this video?

[@ArnoldsDesign]

I don't know, but I'm going try it. If it works out well, I will do a video.

[@375tommyg]

Here is the link kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaqZpmWhntB0d5Y

[@375tommyg]

Have you tried this yet?

[@andresvirgen6117]

Bro, you are my Hero! You drank the electrolyte!!! That is a sign of a True Alchemist! Major Props from a Humble Metallurgist!

[@2slofouru]

You mention dipping the part in the acid before plating, to get a better bite. Doesn't putting them into the vinegar solution for plating do the same thing?

[@ArnoldsDesign]

HCI is what they call for. It's much faster.

[@marcelim_o_fofo]

Nice video Arnold! Congratulations!

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Thanks!)

[@squishy_Rio]

Do you have a video explanation up on the yellow chromium solution stuff. I wanna see how it's made or where you get it? To see if it's good to do all this on some gun parts as a hobby project in the future.

[@kzem968]

Caswell plating products

[@zalmaflash]

A thumb's up for that spoon full.

[@coenraadloubser5768]

Reminded me of this kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqiro2tunKubeLM

[@royboy7649]

I'll give you a Thumbs up just for the laugh. Great clip

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Thanks. It tasted really bad.

[@64faffi]

A bit late to the party, but thank you for the education! I also added the same amount of sugar as Epsom salt as I was told this would enhance the finish. QUESTION: Is it safe to keep the solution - I have removed the zinc for now - in a sealed plastic container for future use?

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Thanks. Yes, I store the solution for months in a plastic bucket with lid. It doesn't seem to hurt it. I just wash off the zinc strips for later.

[@64faffi]

Thank you for the quick reply!

[@MatthewBerginGarage]

You are a brave man. I stopped tasting solutions in grade 7 when I accidentally tasted a sodium hydroxide solution and was only able to eat jello for a month and a half. It was not fun. I wasn't being stupid there was also a supersaturated salt solution we were supposed to taste. I mistakenly thought that the teacher had warmed the salt solution to help dissolve the salt. I didn't yet know the reaction of sodium hydroxide and water. A case of thinking I knew everything followed by a hard dose of reality. :-( Great info though. I will put it to good use.

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Thanks for your comments. I don't taste all solutions.

[@MatthewBerginGarage]

I honestly didn't think you did, it was just that watching you do that just gave me a flashback to nearly 50 years ago. I hadn't thought of that incident for a long time. You have some really good vids glad I found your page.

[@ArnoldsDesign]

No, I know. I'm glad you like my channel.

[@TheCarlhungness]

Magnificent information that could have been told in about five minutes.

[@ArnoldsDesign]

I was feeling generous that day.

[@carlkwasnjuk4596]

I was hoping for a simple way to put a new zinc coating on diecast Hot Wheels and Matchbox type toy cars. Is this the best method? Thanks!

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Probably. I thought Hot wheels were made of zinc.

[@danthompson4879]

Brother Arnold, Great movie! Thumbs up for the movie, wish there was a 2nd thumbs up for your choice in tablespoon beverage.

[@chrisroach9459]

Does the salt solution not cause immediate corrosion of the metal? Just wondering if we are burying brand new rust under the zinc.

[@dragan3290]

Hi I made a copper plating solution with soda bicarbonate and distilled water and made my copper sulphate with the anode and Cathode hooked up to a dc to dc buck converter with an 18 volt Dewalt cordless battery. I kept my voltage at 3 to 5 volts while stirring every few minutes. When I was plating my cheap feeler gauge after I cleaned the feeler gauge of course using soapy water, rinse then electronics contact cleaner. I failed so I used prepwash to wipe on and off.it worked great on the feeler gauge. But I tried doing a kitchen spoon and no matter how much I cleaned the spoon it was blotchy after polishing to a shine. I c a nt buy Muriatic acid in Australia. Can I use hydrochloric acid? The air bubbled is a great idea. I will definitely do that. Any reply appreciated. Subbed and liked!🙂👍👍👍

[@kirkc9643]

Muriatic is hydrochloric acid. Spoon would be stainless steel which requires an additional pretreatment.

[@fredcdobbs823]

How is the chromate in the white bucket made?

[@ArnoldsDesign]

It is a solution I get from Caswell's. It is mixed with distilled water. There is a link in the description where it can be purchased.

[@jaydsdiecastgarage]

thanks for sharing I'll have to try this out. Jay

[@creepycrawler43]

Thank you so much for this video!

[@SarahW-t1v]

i did see the red probe connection?have you made it in contact to the zinc foil or not?or the negative (black probe )seen that it was connected to the one point of the rod.

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Red positive is connected to the zinc foil. The part is connected to black negative.

[@razvanviziteu6667]

Nice video. Very instructive. Thanks for taking the time and present it to everyone interested.

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Thank you. I'm glad you liked it.

[@2slofouru]

I appreciate your helpful videos (and don't understand why my comments seem to disappear), but just in case... If I plate a complex part with some angles and areas that aren't easily accessible to steel wool, is there some other way to ensure I can do several plate steps to get a good thick consistent layer? It's for a fuel pump hanger, and I don't want any risk of rust. Thanks again for the really cool and educational videos.

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Thanks. You could probably bead blast between layers, or maybe just one thick layer would work.

[@2slofouru]

Tried dipping the metal part into the acid cleaning bath, and the part turns black in patches. I rinsed in simple green then distilled water before dipping in the acid rinse. I noticed the black residue almost rinses off with the distilled spray, but most of it doesn't. Should I just put it into the plating container? It seems like some weird oxidation from the acid. I put a small bottle of the 20° acid to two gallons distilled water. I'm using a cleaned cheap wrench as a dummy to get the contaminants out before the good part plate.

[@2slofouru]

Wanted to start earlier today but needed to make another trip for more salt and water, and had other chores. Now I have buckets of random chemicals creating nice fumes.

[@ArnoldsDesign]

@@2slofouru I've never had steel turn black with muriatic acid, so I don't know what's going on. If the part has been freshly abrasive blasted with fine abrasive, you can get away with just degreasing the parts in hot alkaline solution, and rinsing in RO or distilled water. Hot simple green solution might work. Making sure the rinse water sheets off and doesn't form droplets is key. Droplets mean surface tension, and surface tension means dirty surface or oil.

[@2slofouru]

@@ArnoldsDesign I believe the black is a reaction of the areas where the original zinc wasn't completely blasted off. Did some searching and that was the consensus. Originally I couldn't tell fresh steel from zinc after glass beading, so of course it was a mixed surface. Now of course the part rusted uber quickly where the non zinc areas are, even after the rinse. No biggie, I will take it to work and blast it clean again tomorrow. Then I will do the simple green degrease and distilled rinse again. I was grease free last night, just figured I'd do the acid clean like you mentioned on yours. Thanks for the quick replies and the great videos, would have never considered trying on my own otherwise. Have a good one, Arnold

[@johnrisher3007]

Hi Arnold. I finally got the zinc plating to work. When I dipped the part in the yellow chromate it's dull looking. I used muratic acid. Could you help me

[@jockellis]

One more question: your power controller looks pretty expensive. What is out there above the D cell batteries but not too expensive?

[@ArnoldsDesign]

If you can, get a dc regulated power supply. They can be had reasonably on amazon. The one I link to is on sale for $59. It will make your life easier, especially starting out. Eliminates one variable of failure.

[@fmorelli]

Why would there be contaminants in a fresh plating bath? What contaminants, specifically?

[@markyoung9027]

The first round of commercial food ten cans were lined with cadmium .. it didn't work out too good

[@Wooley689]

So if I want to do something larger do I just double the amount of everything?

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Yes, you can scale it up.

[@ARCSTREAMS]

you should run the power through the solution to get an electrolyte instead of just leaving it to sit over night

[@ArnoldsDesign]

It doesn't want to plate unless you let the zinc dissolve for at least a couple hours. Power does speed it up a little.

[@ARCSTREAMS]

im saying to make the solution(zinc dissolve) you should run current in it ,,yes speeds it up alot

[@zobbyzockbrecht2469]

Hi. I've done it as you described the process....but...is it possible that there is also copper on the parts. The electrolyte turns more and more redd/yellow. I there anything i so wrong ?

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Copper will show up as gold on the steel if there's any on there. You can use nitric acid to dissolve the copper. I would just blast it off. The electrolyte shouldn't be turning red yellow. Make sure to rinse parts well with distilled water before putting in the electrolyte, and also make sure the electrolyte itself is made with distilled water. Reverse osmosis water is also just as good and what I use here.

[@zobbyzockbrecht2469]

@@ArnoldsDesign Strange...i used White Vinegar between 5 and 10% Acid. I used destilled water. The copper was only in the black surface. After the plating i was able to wash it away with water and a Brass Wire brush. But...on some little places it seems that the parts get a tiny little bit rusty again. I don't know why. The first step was a bath in Hydrochlorid Acid 33%, before the parts where washed a few days ago, for about 30 minutes. It was nice bare metal after that. No rust, no grease, only bare metal. After that i put it in destilled water, Aceton, destilled Water an in the Electrolyte. This steps where done in aprox. 30 Seconds. Where the hell did that rust come from?

[@ArnoldsDesign]

@@zobbyzockbrecht2469 Usually after degreasing with alkaline cleaner, I put it in the acid for maybe 30 seconds, and then rinse the part in distilled. Don't dry it then. Take it from the rinse directly to the plating bath. If you take it out of acid and dry it, it will rust immediately. In fact, sometimes I just alkaline clean and then go right to the plating bath. Alkaline acts as a rust inhibitor on iron based metals. I see now where the red yellow in your bath came from. It's just rust dissolving in it.

[@zobbyzockbrecht2469]

@@ArnoldsDesign OK. But where should the rust come from. Next Time i' am going to change the process. So far thank you for your help. I let you know about the result next time.

[@alangrant5278]

I wish I could add multiple likes just for drinking the vinegar 👍👍👍👍👍🤣👍👍👍🤣🤣

[@rolandtiangco4421]

Is the 10amp power supply necessary? I'd purchase through your amazon affiliate link, but after clicking, I just found the 5amp version of the same power supply on Amazon. Based on your instructions: "1 amp per 10-15 sq in @ approx 1.5-4 volts" it sounds like a 5amp power supply would be sufficient.

[@ArnoldsDesign]

For small parts you wouldn't need 10 amps. I linked to it because it's the one I have that I like. Now that you mentioned the discrepancy, I will change the affillite link. Thank you.

[@Nismolsx]

Thanks for posting, very nice breakdown. I was wondering if you could help me with an issue I'm having. The threads, the edge around the flanged hex head as well as the edges between the flats of the hex head have good coverage but the flats of the hex head, the flat part under the flange and the shank have little to no coverage. I've tried playing with the amperage, periodically rotating the bolt in the solution and using an aerator but still having same issue. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated, Thanks!

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Thanks for your comments. I haven't had this happen, but sometimes I've gotten shadowing. This is where a part doesn't have line of sight to the zinc electrode because of another surface obstructing it. You might want to try facing the underside of the bolt head toward the zinc and see what happens. You also might want to adjust your voltage a little.

[@r3mark]

Any idea why I keep having problems plating concave objects? I have some brackets that the concave side of just refuses to plate, while the back of it is perfectly fine! I've even tried with a separate close anode... Even masking off the rest of the part is a no go! What to do?

[@ArnoldsDesign]

I don't know. I will have to try that and see if it works. Usually, I can get it to plate irregularly shaped objects though.

[@r3mark]

I made it work in the end! Not sure if it was because I added a "gooseneck near field anode" or because I started just plating isolated areas of the part. Now it just works 😊

[@P40BTomahawk]

Roar Sørlie Good going! Try to understand what it was that made it work.

[@r3mark]

I think the issue was cased by the way the part is made. It might be the stamping process that alters the metal structure in the areas where it is streteched the most, or maybe it is heated in these spots (corner)?

[@P40BTomahawk]

Roar Sørlie ya know in the stretching process they use oil on the die they stretch the part over so the part moves easy and not scratch the part , this oil could be embedded in the metal. A drain cleaner used as an acid etch may help remove the oil. If the metal is conductive and clean of oil it should plate??? Please let me know your progress.

[@Asian_Connection]

What am I doing something WRONG? I zinc plated my bolts and than deposited into a Nickel plating bath. But after the nickel plating it looks like the zinc coating somehow got removed. Can someone tell me what I'm doing wrong?

[@theaussienurseflipper.8113]

I can't believe U drunk table spoon 🤣

[@becomematrix]

Cool. So what you're saying is to get the chromate solution after zinc plating it?

[@ArnoldsDesign]

You could. I would chromate it as soon as possible though.

[@Iddragon]

have you tried adding baking soda up to that vinegar batch that you're using cuz they would start bubbling up I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing better ways have fun

[@Iddragon]

Baking soda and vinegar usually makes energy reaction right battery has baking soda in it maybe

[@Bigman74066]

What do you use as a clear chromate solution? Where could i buy the ingredients?

[@ArnoldsDesign]

I get it at Caswell's. There is a link in the description.

[@Masseyferguson65]

How do you make that "gold " inside you White buket ...What is the ingridiens ?? Michell Norway

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Yellow chromate. You can get it at Caswell Plating.

[@Orbitter1]

🤣That was to funny!

[@GrumpSkull]

Thumbs up for the taste test. Better luck with the moonshine out the back. Ha ha!

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Thanks for the thumbs up and comment!

[@jockellis]

Forgot to ask, what about your yellow chromate solution? Are instructions on the bottle?

[@ArnoldsDesign]

It has the dilution ratio to water.

[@jockellis]

@@ArnoldsDesign Thanks.

[@fredcdobbs823]

I must keep missing what is in the white bucket of chromate & how is it made.

[@dinobasaldella6673]

Approximate volt/amp setting for a 2 barrel carburetor body like a Stromberg 97? Thanks!

[@law-ofohms7815]

Heck yea!, You got a thumbs up and a subscribe!, Thats so me!, I was experimenting with rust removal last night and just had to try a sip of the ascorbic acid solution. Your my "Brother from another mother"!

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Yep, ascorbic acid is nasty tasting too, but good for you. Thanks for the sub! :)

[@colinstables]

You guys, I poured out my citric bath today, after the 50kg of parts that went through, I’d assume it was swimming in cromates

[@edmondpecotjr.8888]

I gave you a thumbs up for that drink it shit... hahahahhahha

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Thanks!

[@reaperronin8898]

What do you do if you want your part to be silver.. what coating is used to protect and seal the zinc.. Thanks for the help..

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Thanks! Yes, you can store the solution in a covered plastic bucket. Mine's never gone bad that way, and it's there when I need it. You can use clear/blue chromate solution to keep the parts silver. It's available from Caswell plating.

[@reaperronin8898]

Thank You Much.. Greatly Appreciate Your Help and Videos.

[@ArnoldsDesign]

You're welcome. I'm glad they help you.

[@Herthan]

Great video as always! Is there anyway we could get a quick video of your vaporblasting setup?

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Thanks! Yeah, I can do that. I have a video up already about my filtration system I built, but it doesn't cover the whole vapor blasting cabinet.

[@EssexSilvering]

Was well worth a thumbs up! ... I'm not going to drink it though! lol ... Thanks for sharing ;-)

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Thanks!

[@ajd5363]

Arnold, how long do you typically need to keep small hardware in the solution? How long do D batteries typically last?

[@Iddragon]

what if you get the goblin icing and you applied some light strong light or lasers to the solution or maybe encased it in like a dark room or something it would be interesting to see what the product will look like kind of different instead of just regular I think.

[@maynard5955]

Have you ever measured how much your putting on the part like 1 2 or 3 thousand of an inch also in a certain amount of time say 1 thou at thirty minutes really enjoy your video

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Thanks. I measured a while back but don't recall now. I don't think it amounted to much at all. I will next time I plate.

[@officialmysteriousrider6327]

Arnold's design ive just got a power supply similar to the one you have its a 1503DD model it puts out 15v 3A but the problem is that iam not getting good results by useing this i dont get it that i was just useing a 12v 3a bike battery & was getting brilliant results from that with the spring to reduce the power but the spring keeps burning out so that's why i bought this rectifier thing 1503DD 15v 3A but it just says error on the amp side & just keeps bleeping have i bought for wrong one or something it never says nothing about useing it for zinc plating in the description it just says for mobile phone repair have you got any ideas about this buddy

[@Headerflame]

Totally worth it!🤘🏼

[@geromepetchepa8067]

Hello. how can we get that yellow liquid in white bucket ? I'm in Cameroon.

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Go to caswellplating.com and see if they ship internationally. You would probably have to call them.

[@wvadam]

Hi Arnold, I have to ask is there a cheap place to get yellow chromate from? as the only place I can find it is caswell and they want $50cdn for a 4 oz bottle of it. I am trying to do this on the cheap as well. I want to protect my brake rotors from rusting up. I have most everything I need around like the power supply and zinc but as the costs go up I start the debate in my head why don't I just buy coated rotors

[@ArnoldsDesign]

I get mine from Caswell. It's expensive, but lasts a long pretty much forever. Keep the clear/blue chromate in a glass jug though, and cover it with aluminum foil, or keep in dark storage.

[@andrewgardner7104]

You wear a flat cap and drink strange things, but it's a funny accent for a Yorkshire man. Thumbs up from me.

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Lol

[@CoolKoon]

I wonder what's the role of the magnesium sulfate in the solution....

[@ArnoldsDesign]

I'm pretty sure it's just to conduct electricity.

[@CoolKoon]

I see. Perhaps a bit of zinc sulfate would've been more productive then.

[@ArnoldsDesign]

I think some formulas do use that.

[@CoolKoon]

That's what I'm planning to use the next time I do some zinc plating anyway. Plus sulfuric acid for a lower pH. That's also a pretty cheap setup from what I reckon (sulfuric acid=battery acid). The same goes for zinc chloride plus muriatic (hydrochloric) acid.

[@rhinely850]

Correct, it is an electrolite.

[@justindampier9017]

Will your power supply go down into milliamps and millivolts?

[@dartarnaez8323]

Have you done this process on magnesium parts ? You showed some refinished Mercedes valve covers . I know a lot of Mercedes models have use magnesium valve covers.

[@tatradak]

Nothing like trying out yiur own product.. Quality control and all that!! 🤣

[@SidecarBob]

So the plating is cheap but the chromate is from Eastwood. From the title I hoped you would tell us a cheap way to do that too.

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Harold Demes tells you the recipe for it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJ7Ramd4arqIq7c

[@sandunsithara4169]

Hi , Thank you - Can i use Cooking /Nomal vinegar ?

[@njccmd2009]

how long is this solution supposed to last. I let it sit for a while and turned into sticky stuff, maybe because of the sugar?

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Sounds like it evaporated on you. Actually, I stopped using sugar. I found it basically does nothing. The solution without the sugar has lasted me a couple years in a covered bucket.

[@njccmd2009]

Well it did not evaporate, i was 5 liters and turned into mud colored water. I will try with no sugar