Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Copper Plated Motorcycle Tank
October 1, 2008
Greetings,
I would like to copper plate a motorcycle gas tank and then age/patina the finish. I would prefer this method to a faux painted finish. Can the plating be done and the finish chemically treated to produce a patina?
My best,
Ken
consumer - Brighton, Massachusetts
October 3, 2008
Hi, Ken. Yes.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
October 4, 2008
Once I have the patina to my liking, can the finish be clear coated to preserve the finish without destroying the patina? (I would use a clear urethane). Will this also arrest any further corrosion?
I appreciate your reply.
My best,
Ken
- Brighton, Massachusetts
October 9, 2008
Hi yes you can have your tank copper plated -
I chrome plated 1 a few weeks ago - (copper , nickel and chrome
)
I just wanted to let you know how tricky they are to do !
It had to be filled with water and sealed to stop it from floating and also touching the anodes. Also helps with drainage as the plating solutions cannot get inside.
1 side effect was that it was very heavy!
(I must add that we plate for aerospace, the tank I plated was a private job, so automotive specialist would probably have custom made jigs to make the job much easier)
!
The end result was great! Although it took ages draining and drying the inside.
Good luck to the plater you use ;-)
Hope this helps.
- Essex, UK
October 18, 2008
Hello Jay...
Thank you for the reply. I did find a local plating company that does automotive/motorcycle part plating and plating a gas tank, copper or otherwise, is no real challenge as they have done them before.
My real concern is, once I chemically patinate the copper, will the corrosion continue and eventually destroy the gas tank?
My best,
- Boston, Massachusetts
October 30, 2008
Hi, Ken. It can be lacquered or clear coated and should be fine, although periodic re-lacquering may be required at a frequency determined by how much time the bike spends outside in rough weather.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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