C2 Door Latch Mechanism Finish

[Peter L.]

I am cleaning the door latch mechanism on my 63, and there is considerable rust (see atached photo), etc. I checked it carefully with a magnet, and it appears that all parts are steel. I am considering glass bead blasting to get to bare metal and then zink plating the entire assembly. Has anyone tried to re-condition this assembly, and if so, is my plan good, or is there a better way?
Thanks

[Russ S.]

Re: C2 Door Latch Mechanism Finish

I have a friend who has had these re-plated but you need to remove the springs first.

[Peter L.]

Re: C2 Door Latch Mechanism Finish

Is that the only precaution he took? He had the entire assembly (minus the springs) plated as an assembly?
Did he do anything to the springs to protect them?

[John D.]

Re: C2 Door Latch Mechanism Finish

That cargo carrier at Harbor Freight seems like a good deal....if I can only find my coupon.....

[Peter L.]

Re: C2 Door Latch Mechanism Finish

???????????

[Russ S.]

Re: C2 Door Latch Mechanism Finish

Is that the only precaution he took? He had the entire assembly (minus the springs) plated as an assembly?
Did he do anything to the springs to protect them?

Peter, I will need to get in contact with him to answer all your questions but yes he did have it plated as an Assembly less the springs. They looked really great.

[Paul J.]

Re: C2 Door Latch Mechanism Finish

Is that the only precaution he took? He had the entire assembly (minus the springs) plated as an assembly?
Did he do anything to the springs to protect them?

Peter,

Yes, you can plate the entire assembly. Here's thread with pictures to show how it's done. There are some home platers on this board, maybe they'll chime in.

http://www.mckennasgarage.com/xke/jag_16.htm

Paul

[Peter L.]

Re: C2 Door Latch Mechanism Finish

Wow. I'm amazed that home plating is that straight forward. It's still beyond what I feel comfortable doing for this restoration.
Guys, thanks for the info. I now have the confidence that plating the entire assembly is the way ot go.
I still have one question. Russ said to remove any springs before plating. However Paul did plate some springs separately. Why the need to remove the springs? And can they indeed be plated separately?
Also, I have a convertable. The deck lid release mechanism has two steel wires guided thru two spring guides (the spring guide is approx 2 feet long, 1/4 inch diameter) that goes from the deck lid release handle to the latches on both ends of the deck lid. I bead blasted these pieces, and I had originally intended that they be plated. Will the plating be able to flex with the spring guides?