Replating a C1 gas cap with paper gasket?

[Ian G.]

So armed with my new info on masking parts for plating... I'm wondering has anyone replated a C1 gas cap (mine is an Eaton from 1959) withut removing the rivet? I'm guessing the acid bath will ruin or completely dissolve the paper gasket in there. If I remove the rivet, I'm not sure I could replace it and make it look sufficiently original. if I duck tape the bottom I'm afraid the acid will seep through... Would the zinc plating process be less damaging than the cadmium process?

Any tricks folks have tried?

[John D.]

Re: Replating a C1 gas cap with paper gasket?

Ian, What is the rivet made of? If it's aluminum forget it.
I used to work in a plating shop at night in the late 60's. Go to your local cad plater and show him your part. He will quickly be able to tell you what you want to know. Don't leave the paper on for sure.
But once again contact your plater. Do not consider replating your speedometer cable housing. I did that one time for a customer and had to buy him a new assembly.
I was too dumb to know that the part had an aluminum nut on the speedometer end. John

[Ian G.]

Re: Replating a C1 gas cap with paper gasket?

The rivet is just regular steel as the rest... It doesn't look any different anyway. The interesting thing is it is sort of square on top... That's why I think I'll have trouble reassembling it to look untouched...