How do I reproduce the appearance of something that was originally galvanized?

[Michael L.]

guys,

Anyone know somebody who is still doing galvanized plating, or the best way to reproduce the appearance of galvanized finish? I searched the archives and couldn't fine anything but I can't imagine nobody hasn't posted on this before. Thanks for the help.

Mike

[Joe L.]

Re: How do I reproduced the appearance of something that was originally galvanized?

guys,

Anyone know somebody who is still doing galvanized plating, or the best way to reproduce the appearance of galvanized finish? I searched the archives and couldn't fine anything but I can't imagine nobody hasn't posted on this before. Thanks for the help.

Mike

Mike------


I don't know of any way to duplicate a galvanized finish using any process or method other than galvanization. In fact, even having something galvanized might not duplicate the original finish since there are numerous variations of a galvanized finish. The 2 basic processes are hot dip galvanizing and electro-galvanizing. I don't know of any part on a Corvette that was hot dip galvanized so you don't need to be concerned about that process. That's a good thing, too, since hot dip galvanizing is usually done only in large scale operations that would never do work for hobbyists or automotive restorations. Hot dip galvanizing produces a rather rough surface finish.

Electro-galvanizing was used on a few Corvette components. The one that comes to mind are the rear disc brake shields for 1965+ Corvettes. These were a PRE-PUNCH electro-galvanized finish. This means that the sheet stock was first galvanized and then the shields were stamped from the galvanized stock.

Unfortunately, I don't know of any job shop that does electro-galvanizing although there may be some.

[Larry M.]

Re: How do I reproduced the appearance of something that was originally galvanized?

What do you ned plated??

Galvanizing is plating zinc on steel or iron base. Many companies will do zinc plating of parts. I believe Richard Fortier advertises that he can do this. Now if you have to have a certain special finish, you may or may not be successful in finding an old-time plater for this. I believe a few other folks in the Driveline advertise they do zinc plating as well.

Larry

[Michael L.]

Re: How do I reproduced the appearance of something that was originally galvanized?

Richard is currently plating my hardware (after the shipping fiasco was figured out!) but not sure he does galvanizing for special items. Ok Ok you caught me. in addition to the 69 coupe I'm currently restoring I'm also restoring a 69 AMX and that car has several items that were galvanized from the factory. I was hoping to tap the great knowledge base of this forum to help me with that AMX. I'll email Richard and ask about the galvanizing. Its possible that we can closely replicate it with the zinc plating.

Mike

[Joe L.]

Re: How do I reproduced the appearance of something that was originally galvanized?

What do you ned plated??

Galvanizing is plating zinc on steel or iron base. Many companies will do zinc plating of parts. I believe Richard Fortier advertises that he can do this. Now if you have to have a certain special finish, you may or may not be successful in finding an old-time plater for this. I believe a few other folks in the Driveline advertise they do zinc plating as well.

Larry

Larry------


The appearance of an electro-galvanized finish is different than a zinc plated finish although both finishes are, of course, zinc. However, I recommend that a regular zinc plated finish, which is relatively easy to obtain, be used to refinish a piece that was originally electro-galvanized. In fact, it could very well be that few judges would be able to discern the difference.

[Larry M.]

Re: How do I reproduced the appearance of something that was originally galvanized?

Richard is currently plating my hardware (after the shipping fiasco was figured out!) but not sure he does galvanizing for special items. Ok Ok you caught me. in addition to the 69 coupe I'm currently restoring I'm also restoring a 69 AMX and that car has several items that were galvanized from the factory. I was hoping to tap the great knowledge base of this forum to help me with that AMX. I'll email Richard and ask about the galvanizing. Its possible that we can closely replicate it with the zinc plating.

Mike

I am very well acquainted and knowledgeable about the 1969 AMX. I owned and ran one for many years. It was ordered (for my wife) with just about every available option AMC had for this car. It later became a stripped down racer, and is now a Platinum Level Show car on the West Coast. Let me know if I can help/assist in any way.

Larry

[Terry M.]

Re: How do I reproduced the appearance of something that was originally galvanized?

Mike------


I don't know of any way to duplicate a galvanized finish using any process or method other than galvanization. In fact, even having something galvanized might not duplicate the original finish since there are numerous variations of a galvanized finish. The 2 basic processes are hot dip galvanizing and electro-galvanizing. I don't know of any part on a Corvette that was hot dip galvanized so you don't need to be concerned about that process. That's a good thing, too, since hot dip galvanizing is usually done only in large scale operations that would never do work for hobbyists or automotive restorations. Hot dip galvanizing produces a rather rough surface finish]

Electro-galvanizing was used on a few Corvette components. The one that comes to mind are the rear disc brake shields for 1965+ Corvettes. These were a PRE-PUNCH electro-galvanized finish. This means that the sheet stock was first galvanized and then the shields were stamped from the galvanized stock.

Unfortunately, I don't know of any job shop that does electro-galvanizing although there may be some.

Hot dip galvanizing for hobbyists is alive and well, at least in the Midwest, Joe. I had the frame for my 1967 Chevelle hot dipped for the flat rate of $300 about four years ago. The company usually charges by the pound for dipping, but they charged me the minimum rate for their services. I had the choice of two firms and chose the one closest to me. That charge included blasting and cleaning the frame. Even though I had had it chemically dipped at another location before I brought it to them. They didn't want to contaminate their tanks of molten zinc so they did their own blasting and cleaning process. I believe they heated the frame to drive off any moisture before they put it into the zinc. I had to plug any threaded holes in the frame before they dipped it so the threads would be protected. I expect that frame to last a lot longer than I will.

BTW: I don't want anyone to misunderstand == their is nothing stock about hot dipping the frame of a Chevelle, and their is nothing much stock about the rest of my Chevelle either.