Hardware & Fastener Plating

[Tony R.]

Attached are some photos of the first progress on my 54 chassis reassembly. I cleaned up many fasteners and have had them zinc plated. Curious of people's reaction to them. I think they turned out very nice. Most didn't have much pitting. Lots of them were protected by a thin layer of oil and transmission fluid. :-)

My question is, are they toooooo nice? When I go through NCRS flight judging (local, regional, national) will I get dinged?

Thoughts are welcome.2020-04-28 06.52.43.jpg2020-05-03 12.42.57.jpg2020-05-03 12.42.05.jpg

[Mike M.]

Re: Hardware & Fastener Plating

they are just fine and i'd be surprised if greg's judges would deduct. they will probably give u a happy face on the judging sheets. mike

[Richard G.]

Re: Hardware & Fastener Plating

Mike;
Original bolts plated too nice?
This is just another example where the club has, in my opinion, attempted to soften the originality stance.
Not unlike the paint issue it has evolved with the times.
I would hope 99% of the judges would have no issue with the plating job.

If it bothers you try a vibration shaker. You may find a correct media to soften the look. Personally I would leave it as is.
Hardware it very difficult to get correct and I love the look you have.
Best of luck.
Rick

[Brad Hillhouse (37766)]

Re: Hardware & Fastener Plating

Tony - Did you do these yourself, or send them to a plater to be done?

thank you

Brad Hillhouse

[Tony R.]

Re: Hardware & Fastener Plating

I cleaned them up and sent them to a plater. The plater does an acid bath and then neutralizes and plates. However, they said the cleaner they are when I send them the better they will turn out. Lots of quality time at a bench grinder with a wire wheel attached. Before that, soaking and scrubbing in gasoline or parts cleaner to remove grease, etc. For some of them that still seemed to have some cadmium or some other plating on them I dipped them in muratic acid and then neutralized to remove anything that was left over. Tried not to use acid unless I needed to.

[Tony R.]

Re: Hardware & Fastener Plating

It was done by Zinc Inc. in Wisconsin. This is the first car I have restored, so I am not terribly experienced, and I am not in a position like some of you to recommend a vendor. However, I have been impressed with these folks. Address and phone below. I dealt with Sadie. Very good to deal with. They seem to have a good system down to ensure that you get your own stuff back, nothing more and nothing less. I am paranoid so I take photos of fasteners with notes about size and head markings and what they go to, print them out, and then send them in the box in case they are helpful. I don't know what other types of plating they do, but have it in my mind that the do some other types.

I do not recall who referred me to them, but it was someone.

277 Weil Drive
Slinger, WI 53086
262-644-7787

[David B.]

Re: Hardware & Fastener Plating

Since you asked, --- They are too nice! (if you are trying to be factory original). Before wasting a lot of time and $ plating etc. did you research the fasteners part numbers as to type, size and finish? Many chassis bolts etc. were just a plain finish. Pay special attention to length the bolts in one of your photos appears to be too long.
PS I have never been known as the most popular guy (or Judge) in class.