[T2] zinc plating hardware

[c.dreike]

Hi Guys and Gals,

Yesterday I decided to try my hand at zinc plating some of my old 
slightly rusty hardware. Works very nicely. The finish is not shiny like 
hardware store bolts, but a dull gray as if the hardware is old and 
used. After a plating bath, I found that the rust nearly falls off the 
hardware on its own or a light brushing with a stainless wire brush 
takes it off.

The formula for zinc plating is easy. Here is what you need:

1. A glass or plastic container. for small parts a 16 Oz container is fine.
2. Washing soda, not baking soda. look it up.
3. 5% white vinegar
4. A power source.  Two D batteries wired in series works well.
5. zinc anode. I purchased two small zinc anodes from our local boating 
store. About $7 total.
6. tap water.
7. copper wire. anything from 16 to 22 gage is fine.

In a 16 oz glass jar I mixed 6 Oz.  tap water with about a teaspoon or 
two of washing soda and about 6 oz. of 5% white vinegar from the grocery 
store. Dissolve the washing soda in the water first then add the 
vinegar. It will fizz just a bit.

Connect your zinc anodes to the positive side of your batteries.
Clean your parts to remove all dirt, wash with some solvent like alcohol 
or acetone.
Connect the negative side to your parts with a small wire.
Dunk the parts into the bath and wait about 5 or 10 minutes.

Look it up on Youtube. Lots of video on this and other metal plating.

My 71 sunroof steering parts are looking pretty good now. I plated all 
the nuts and bolts that hold the steering coupler in place as well as 
the bolt lockplate for the gearbox flange.

Cheers,
Chris