Chassis finish re-coat - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

walkman-man · 7th Jan 2008, 8:32 pm

Hi all,

Not sure if anyone out there would known about re-applying a gold plated/anodised chasis? I have (stupidly) tried to clean up a v. dusty chasis using metal polish - to find that what I thought was very well done paint job, was actually a thin gold finish. If anyone knows any specialists who could re-coat x2 panels (from some very nice valve amps) I'd be glad to know.
BTW the amp's manufacturers can't do the work as they no longer make the panels with the same finish!

Thanks,
Sigmund

Sean Williams · 7th Jan 2008, 9:39 pm

Erm, I think the process is called "Yellow Zinc Passivating", either that, or it is Cadmium plated - Cadmium is poisionous, so you will not get that done anywhere.

The zinc stuff can be done, but you will need to find an electroplaters that will do it.

Do you have a piccy, we might be able to identify the original plating.

Cheers
Sean

walkman-man · 8th Jan 2008, 7:58 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Williams

Do you have a piccy, we might be able to identify the original plating.

Thanks for your advice on this. Please see attached files for pics. An electroplaters I have spoke to advised that the chasis would have a special kind of pre-treatment (can't remember the name) in order to apply the gold plating to the steel- is this the zinc-type finish you refer to?

Cheers,
Sigmund

Sean Williams · 8th Jan 2008, 8:31 pm

Ah, this looks like a yellow lacquer laid over Chrome plate, so it could be a paint process rather than a plating process....

walkman-man · 8th Jan 2008, 8:35 pm

Ta muchly.
You wouldn't happen to know anyone who can apply this lacquer? The process sounds a bit exotic for any of my local (Manchester area) metal finishers.

jim_beacon · 8th Jan 2008, 8:38 pm

Try custom motorcycle people, a copy of "Backstreet Heroes" (available from your local WH Smith library) may give you a few leads.

Jim.

walkman-man · 9th Jan 2008, 5:24 pm

Much thanks for this everyone. Any tips on polishing off light scratches? and not having to remove ceramic(?) transfers/lettering?

walkman-man · 12th Jan 2008, 10:11 pm

Hi there,

I've had the metal finishing people, dealing with the amp, sort this out. By a stoke of luck they just happen to be specialist gold platers (apparently there are only 4 gold platers in the UK, who are able to do this work!), who were able re-apply the original finish.

Sigmund

7th Jan 2008, 8:32 pm	#1
walkman-man Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Manchester Posts: 7	Chassis finish re-coat Hi all, Not sure if anyone out there would known about re-applying a gold plated/anodised chasis? I have (stupidly) tried to clean up a v. dusty chasis using metal polish - to find that what I thought was very well done paint job, was actually a thin gold finish. If anyone knows any specialists who could re-coat x2 panels (from some very nice valve amps) I'd be glad to know. BTW the amp's manufacturers can't do the work as they no longer make the panels with the same finish! Thanks, Sigmund

7th Jan 2008, 9:39 pm	#2
Sean Williams Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: St.Ippolyts, Hitchin, Hertfordshire QRA IO91UW Posts: 3,518	Re: Chasis finish re-coat Erm, I think the process is called "Yellow Zinc Passivating", either that, or it is Cadmium plated - Cadmium is poisionous, so you will not get that done anywhere. The zinc stuff can be done, but you will need to find an electroplaters that will do it. Do you have a piccy, we might be able to identify the original plating. Cheers Sean __________________ Engineers make things work and have spare bits when finished

8th Jan 2008, 8:31 pm	#4
Sean Williams Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: St.Ippolyts, Hitchin, Hertfordshire QRA IO91UW Posts: 3,518	Re: Chasis finish re-coat Ah, this looks like a yellow lacquer laid over Chrome plate, so it could be a paint process rather than a plating process.... __________________ Engineers make things work and have spare bits when finished

8th Jan 2008, 8:35 pm	#5
walkman-man Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Manchester Posts: 7	Re: Chasis finish re-coat Ta muchly. You wouldn't happen to know anyone who can apply this lacquer? The process sounds a bit exotic for any of my local (Manchester area) metal finishers.

8th Jan 2008, 8:38 pm	#6
jim_beacon Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bishop's Waltham, Hants, UK. Posts: 939	Re: Chasis finish re-coat Try custom motorcycle people, a copy of "Backstreet Heroes" (available from your local WH Smith library) may give you a few leads. Jim.

9th Jan 2008, 5:24 pm	#7
walkman-man Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Manchester Posts: 7	Re: Chasis finish re-coat Much thanks for this everyone. Any tips on polishing off light scratches? and not having to remove ceramic(?) transfers/lettering?

12th Jan 2008, 10:11 pm	#8
walkman-man Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Manchester Posts: 7	Re: Chasis finish re-coat Hi there, I've had the metal finishing people, dealing with the amp, sort this out. By a stoke of luck they just happen to be specialist gold platers (apparently there are only 4 gold platers in the UK, who are able to do this work!), who were able re-apply the original finish. Sigmund Last edited by Darren-UK; 13th Jan 2008 at 10:13 pm. Reason: OT comments removed.