SERVICES
Vapor Honing
Motorcycle and Automotive Restoration
Aircraft Parts
Firearm Parts
Engine Cases and Valve Covers
Carburetors
Tooling and Machining
Electronics - Cleaning Connectors
Antique Restoration
Cleaning of dies & molds
Removal of rust, scale, carbon & similar deposits
Surface preparation prior to repainting or re-coating
Satin finishing of stainless steels & other special materials
Removal of small burrs from manufactured components
Zinc Plating
Zinc plating is a most valuable tool when used in combating corrosion of steel. The zinc corrodes before the steel does, sacrificing itself for the benefit of the steel. A metallurgical bond is formed between the zinc and steel forming an iron rich alloy with tenacious bond. Galvanizing can be left unpainted where it will form its own protective oxide layer. After zinc plating, parts can be dipped in a variety of chromates to give color and increased corrosion resistance.
How it Works
Electrodeposition:
Zinc plating is an electrochemical process, where a thin layer of zinc is applied to the metal surface through electrodeposition.
Sacrificial Coating:
The zinc coating corrodes preferentially to the base metal, meaning it will rust before the underlying material does.
Barrier Protection:
The zinc layer also acts as a physical barrier, preventing moisture and oxygen from reaching the base metal.
Yellow Chromate
The Yellow Chromate provides a yellow/bronze iridescent finish on plated cadmium and zinc. The finish has outstanding resistance to salt spray, greatly surpasses the normal 96 hour salt spray resistance specified for yellow chromates on zinc. It will withstand up to 200 hours salt spray. The deposit is a pleasing finish in itself. It is an excellent base for paint. The finish may be dyed to various colors.
Blue Chromate
Our blue chromate concentrate produces a true blue conversion coating on zinc plated items. It is a single dip blue trivalent chromate that offers high salt spray resistance for up to 130 hours to white rust corrosion, and 160-200 hours to red rust corrosion. No additional topcoat is required to obtain this high degree of corrosion resistance. It produces a beautiful blue/clear trivalent chromate to meet automotive and all other industrial standards.
Black Chromate
Our Black Chromate concentrate provide a true black chromate on zinc or cadmium plated parts. It is especially effective for chromating bolt parts such as nuts, bolts and various fasteners. Immerse plated parts for 15-40 seconds, depending on the desired depth of color. Rinse in fresh water to stop the process, and dry with hot air (150 deg F).
Olive Drab Chromate
Caswell Olive Drab Chromate will impart an heavy, non-iridescent olive drab green coating over zinc or cadmium deposits. The finish also serves as an excellent base for paint.