I’m restoring a 68 OTS E-Type. I preparing to have many parts re-plated. Among these parts are the door lock assembly and the lock assembly for the boot. Each of these items has springs that do not appear to be easily removed. One shop said it would not be a problem to re-plate the entire assembly. Another shop said it could harm the springs. Does anyone have successful experience with re-plating these parts as an assembly? Thanks for any input.
Submitted by lou.hardin@ppcg.us on Sat, 10/08/2016 - 09:59
Cadmium plating will make the metal brittle and subject to metal fatigue/failure. The cadmium plating company should suggest baking the part and then providing a certificate stating that the plated parts were baked (around 400 degrees for four hours)especially on springs, torsion bars and suspension parts.
I used Burbank Plating in California as an example. They did a beautiful job and turned my order around quickly and were reasonably priced.
I first tried a Cadmium plating company near Denver Colorado and had a horrible experience (different color finishes, stains on finished parts, and an owner who inflated the cost every time I talked to him).
Although I do not like to recommend any vendor and strongly recommend that you conduct your own Due Diligence I used Burbank Plating with good results:
Burbank Plating Service Corp.
13561 Desmond St. Pacoima, CA 91331
Phone (818) 899-1157 Fax (818) 899-9557