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re-plating tube shields?

Aerobat said:
Funny, I just got some supplies to zinc plate some old Hot Wheels cars. They're made of ZAMAC (Zinc Aluminum Magnesium and Copper) and can discolor.

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If I recall correctly, there is CLEAR zinc and YELLOW zinc plating...clear is more environmentally friendly than yellow?
[I vaguely recall it's been twenty years since a mechanical engineer remarked this to me]
 
It won't stay bright but if the whole chassis is copper plated it will be fairly uniform in appearance. My s7000 looks like an old penny
 
Nuttin' wrong with that. Natural patina is expected. What do you suppose our ancestors will think of what we have done to these exquisite jewels in another 60 years? Never mind, just thinking out loud.
k
 
mfenberg said:
Not sure what style you have, but here are pictures of my tube shields from my HK a50K integrated amplifier. I found some parts in my tool box to be able to attach the shield to my drill and used 0000 steel wool to buff them up. I think they came out really nice!
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Absolutely brilliant idea! I'll be trying this soon so thanks for sharing!
 
electroplating is what I used. real simple home stuff, the actual potion involves either vinegar and salt or vinegar and peroxide. Commercial plating involves much nastier things but I didn't really want to be messing with things that needed special precautions. I have wondered if a higher percent acid vinegar would be an advantage. I used the standard 5% stuff but you can get cleaning vinegar up to about 30% concentration.

lead doesn't stick to steel very well. Needs acid flux, and then getting it applied evenly probably needs a solder pot to have any hope of it. It would also be a pretty thick coating, probably to the point that things dont' fit correctly anymore.
 
Lead oxidizes and its kinda hazardous. Although, a day without soldering is like a day without sunshine!
If I understand the electroplate process, weaker solutions do a better job of plating, albeit taking a bit more time.

I was trying for an engineering lab job at a factory in Northeastern Nebraska that manufactured farm irrigation systems.
They gave me a 5 cent tour that was fascinating.
In one large building they had a 50 foot-long molten zinc hot dip tank. I watched them dip-plate a rack of 4" dia. steel pipes.
If only I could have 5 minutes with that tank...
 
For aluminum we often use Alodine on aluminum, or more commonly called Chem film. They will appear slightly yellow in color. It is common in the space industry.
 
gadget73 said:
Anyone ever re-plate steel tube shields? I've got some that are the usual grey-brown color with faint evidence of some sort of plating that has long since been cooked away. I've got the stuff around to do nickel plating, thinking that ought to spruce them up.

The real question is what were they plated with originally? I'm guessing zinc.
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Maybe prep the oxidized metal and paint them matte black with Rustoleum? The black should theoretically help with heat dissipation. :idea:
 
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