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Zamak pieces restoration

Started by Titigros, October 26, 2016, 05:40:49 AM

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Titigros

Hi, do you know how to restore well the Cad59 zamak pieces like these ones please? Two steel/chrome specialists told me they don't want to re-chrome this alliage as they cannot guarantee the immediate results, and even if they do it this would not stay long :-[. I have been told though the zamak pieces could be polished and then painted with a chrome-like color :o. There are many zamak parts in a Cad 1959, so this is a real problem if these pieces are in bad shape; to name a few : tail lights, upper headlight bezel, cigarette lighters, Inside/outside door handles, window handles, wiper arms base, outside mirror base etc. see picture
Thanks!
Thierry


Scot Minesinger

"zamack", what is this?  The part pictured would require that the tail (with rubber section) attached would need to be removed to re-chrome it.  On cigarette lighters the back section should unscrew the sleeve and it comes apart.
Fairfax Station, VA  22039 (Washington DC Sub)
1970 Cadillac DeVille Convertible
1970 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1970 four door Convertible w/Cadillac Warranty

Steve Passmore

Zamack in the US is just Die-Cast or 'Pot metal'   Here its called 'Mazack' but its still the same old junk and many chromers don't like working with it.
I believe you do have some plating company's in your country that do specialize in it though.
Steve

Present
1937 60 convertible coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe
1941 62 coupe

Previous
1936 70 Sport coupe
1937 85 series V12 sedan
1938 60 coupe
1938 50 coupe
1939 60S
1940 62 coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe x2
1941 61 coupe
1941 61 sedan x2
1941 62 sedan x2
1947 62 sedan
1959 62 coupe

Titigros

Many thanks for your replies, in fact I found "zamak" (not with a c), an alliage of zinc, aluminium, magnesium, and kupfer (in German), so it's effectively a die-cast.  ;) I wanted to know if some members did use successfully some sort of polish + paint (and what kind of) instead of re-chrome which apparently is not feasible on this alliage if it's pitted, as according to chrome specialists I contacted "the pitting comes from deep underneath"  :( !

The Tassie Devil(le)

The only way to re-finish these Diecast potmetal parts is to actually drill out the imperfections, and then carefully fill the now-clean cavities with Silver Solder.

BUT, there is no guarantee that the task will be successful as when heat is applied, there could be an underlying pocket of air nearby, and this will heat up and "explode" creating another area to fix.

The chroming of the original parts when new wasn't a problem, as every component part was stabilised, plus, the only parts that were being plated at that exact time, was the Diecast parts.

These days, when Platers chrome stuff, I believe that they just plate everything in the same vats and hope for the best.   Can't expect a brass part to take the same power requirements as a soft potmetal piece.

Bruce. >:D
'72 Eldorado Convertible (LHD)
'70 Ranchero Squire (RHD)
'74 Chris Craft Gull Wing (SH)
'02 VX Series II Holden Commodore SS Sedan
(Past President Modified Chapter)

Past Cars of significance - to me
1935 Ford 3 Window Coupe
1936 Ford 5 Window Coupe
1937 Chevrolet Sports Coupe
1955 Chevrolet Convertible
1959 Ford Fairlane Ranch Wagon
1960 Cadillac CDV
1972 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe

Steve Passmore

With pot metal the process is to apply layer upon layer of copper flatting the surface between layers eventually filling the holes. A very expensive process.     I have seen pot metal grills that were pitted dreadfully and chromed in the USA to perfection. On a 41 Buick I had in after a front end collision the grill was smashed the copper was the same thickness as the pot metal in places. The pot metal was smashed away from the rear leaving the mask of copper still standing and you could see the pot metal was like Swiss cheese. 
There are companies advertising in Hemmings Motor News that specialize in this stuff. Have you tried them?
Steve

Present
1937 60 convertible coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe
1941 62 coupe

Previous
1936 70 Sport coupe
1937 85 series V12 sedan
1938 60 coupe
1938 50 coupe
1939 60S
1940 62 coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe x2
1941 61 coupe
1941 61 sedan x2
1941 62 sedan x2
1947 62 sedan
1959 62 coupe

Classic

Jon Wright's Custom Chrome Plating in Grafton, Ohio does very high quality work.  http://www.customchromeplating.com/index.html  From their website:  "We work on steel, cast iron, stainless steel, brass, bronze, aluminum, copper and zinc die castings. We specialize in the repair and plating of difficult pot metal parts as well as damaged parts made of any of the above materials."
I have had pot metal work done by them and it was excellent.  I highly recommend them.  I realize you are in Europe, so perhaps Steve Passmore in the UK can recommend someone with similar capabilities closer to you.
Gene Menne
CLC #474

Steve Passmore

Steve

Present
1937 60 convertible coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe
1941 62 coupe

Previous
1936 70 Sport coupe
1937 85 series V12 sedan
1938 60 coupe
1938 50 coupe
1939 60S
1940 62 coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe x2
1941 61 coupe
1941 61 sedan x2
1941 62 sedan x2
1947 62 sedan
1959 62 coupe

76eldo

Thierry

I did answer your email about the AC parts.
Do you want to discuss these parts?
Thanks

Brian

Rachlin@comcast.net
Brian Rachlin
Huntingdon Valley, Pa
I prefer email's not PM's rachlin@comcast.net

1960 62 Series Conv with Factory Tri Power
1970 DeVille Conv
1970 Eldo
1970 Caribu (?) "The Cadmino"
1973 Eldorado Conv Pace Car
1976 Eldorado Conv
1980 Eldorado H & E Conv
1993 Allante with Hardtop (X2)
2008 DTS
2012 CTS Coupe
2017 XT
1956 Thunderbird
1966 Olds Toronado