Zinc plating

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Irishman1
ICOA Member
ICOA Member
Posts: 121
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2013 5:02 pm
Location: Camano island, Wa,USA
Location: Camano island,Wa,USA

Zinc plating

Post by Irishman1 »

I’ve found in restoring 8 75 gl1000’s and now my third CBX that just cleaning and polishing the metal parts that aren’t painted can be challenging. My first CBX restoration was the 81 and after a couple of years the carb brackets have started to oxidize again. I mainly replace all screws, nuts and bolts with new OEM ones so I’ve never really worried about fasteners.
Hop to YouTube to check out diy zinc plating and after a few different setups, I’ve found a pretty good way to refinish the metal bits.
For the silver or chrome bits I use a 1/2 gallon water mixture of 5% distilled vinegar with 1cup magnesium sulfate ( epsom salt) and 1/2 cup sugar( makes the finish smooth). I use my shumacher 12 volt battery charger on trickle charge for about 20 minutes . I can then do a dip of case well yellow chromate after for the gold-ish chromate parts if needed.
You can also use the same format for nickel plating for shiny, chrome looking parts. For the black fasteners you can dip in black oxide foe a few minutes after metal plating. After plating use just use some 0000 steel wool to buff the loose zinc off the parts and your done.
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ICOA # 6786
Retired, now my job is restoring old hondas!
Bike in the garage right now:
1979 CBX1000 red
1980 CBX1000 red
1981 CBX1000 prolink
1975 gl1000 blue
1975 gl1000 red
1975 gl1000 sulfur yellow
1975 gl1000 red
1976 gl1000 sulfur yellow
1977 gl1000 black
1977 gl1000 blue
1977 gl1000 black
1978 cb750f super sport
1979 cb750f super sport

Larry Zimmer
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ICOA Web Post/Pix/Video Archive Mgt
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Location: Brighton, Mich
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Re: Zinc plating

Post by Larry Zimmer »

Neat, Irish! Thanks!
Larry Zimmer
cbxlarry@sbcglobal.net

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