Thread: Cad. Plating

HI every one just starting to post on the board . I have 3 ct70's, s65, z50 and ct90 none are running so I have a lot off work in front of me. I have really got some good information from you guys so far this is a great webboard thanks for whoever started it . My question is has any one tried cad plating at home with any of the do it your self kits? Like the Carswell copy cad. Thanks guys. KJ

I have a caswell kit i have never used. I also purchased all the copper wire needed. I will sell it for $115 shipped if you are interested. It is just collecting dust at my home.

You'd be better of with zinc plating. Cad is highly toxic and virtually regulated out of existence in the US of A. As for plating at home, it'd be all too easy to turn your residence into a brownfield site, hardly seems worth the hassle & risk.

Originally Posted by sport 65

HI every one just starting to post on the board . I have 3 ct70's, s65, z50 and ct90 none are running so I have a lot off work in front of me. I have really got some good information from you guys so far this is a great webboard thanks for whoever started it . My question is has any one tried cad plating at home with any of the do it your self kits? Like the Carswell copy cad. Thanks guys. KJ

Copy Cad is just that....A copy, not actual cad plating.
I've use a Tin Zinc plating kit and it works great.
Just make sure all the rust is gone from the item to be plated.
I soak all of my parts to be replated in De-Rusting solution (I made my own)
overnight prior to plating.
Tin Zinc will be a shineyer (Bad spelling) plate then Cad. Cad is a whiter finish.
Good luck!

This is not the normal type cad system with toxic chem.

Redrider37 I'm interested, which kit do you have. Thanks

Thanks for the information scrubus have you been happy with you results. which process looks close to bolts and hardware? KJ

I have used the Copy Cad kit on 3 of the bikes I've restored. It works great if you follow the directions exactly. I have a bead blaster that removes the rust from the hardware. Polish them up with steel wool and/or a die grinder. Clean the health out of them in an old crock pot as per the directions. Make sure you calculate the surface area correctly as this is critical with the fixed current setup that comes with the Caswell kit.

The cost may be too much for just one bike, but if you're redoing several you will save quite a bit.

Plus, it's kinda fun. Like having a Mr. Wizard experiment going in your shop.

Originally Posted by sport 65

This is not the normal type cad system with toxic chem.

Redrider37 I'm interested, which kit do you have. Thanks

Thanks for the information scrubus have you been happy with you results. which process looks close to bolts and hardware? KJ

I've been happy with the results. Zinc is not as "white" of finish as Cadnium plating.
So I guess if you are looking for total perfection in a restoration you may not like the
finish.
If you go to a harware store they will have nuts and bolts with different types of plating
in sections. you can see what zinc plating looks like as well as other types.
I have yet to see any cad plated nuts and bolts. Probably because of the hazardous
nature of Cadnium.

Thanks,
Good luck!

Here is a link to the kit i have, copy cad and zinc plating kit Caswell Inc. - Copy Cad® and Zinc Plating Kit

it is the 1.5 gallon kit and like i said i have a whole spool of copper wire and a pipe to go across the bucket. If you go on caswell's forums there is alot of people that use these kits with great results. The biggest thing is the prep work and follow directions. The forums are great for questions also.

C-brite metals in Harbor city, Ca. if your close they will do all the cad you want.

Mike

learn to use the caswell plating system,don't be afraid to experement (as in more power) with the power supply you'll get professional results. also go to an auto paint supply store and pick up a product called u-pol spray clear coat, it comes in a spray can it protects the plating and is allmost invisible to look at, this process saves alot of money!