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Help with original zinc die cast finish (how to restore)

August 16, 2008

Dear sir,

I am restoring a vintage German car from the late 1950's. Several pieces on this car are zinc die cast. I have seen some of these pieces new and never used and they have a very attractive flatish silver finish to them with some hints of blue. I was wondering if you have a suggestion on how best to restore/replate my original zinc die cast pieces as so far I have not been able to come up with any suggestions on how to duplicate this finish.

Kind regards,

Joris Koning
hobbyist - Leiden, The Netherlands

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Hi, Joris. Your description sounds like the parts were blue chromated, which would not be unusual for zinc diecastings. Once the parts are this old though, it may not be possible to get them to accept a decent looking and consistent chromate conversion coating directly. I understand that the thing to do is to have them zinc plated and chromate conversion coated. Tell the plater you would like a dull-ish finish if he can.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
August 18, 2008

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Ed. note: This discussion was continued as letter 49977.