TomH 2,756 Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 Hey all: Well, when dad and I are not out in the hills trying to find yellow stuff.....im usually plating car parts and whatever else people want plated.Here are some 61 Chrysler exhaust tips that were pretty rough to start with.1 All rusty and crappy.2 Initial copper plate so I can put lead on it3 All leaded up and ready to be filed/sanded smooth.4 After much sanding and copper plating.5/6 All done and looking much better Well, the pic order are is messed up...youl figure it out.Tom Link to post Share on other sites
weaver hillbille 488 Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 DId you weld/braze in some Cu plate to clean up those ragged edges? Amazing work! Link to post Share on other sites
TomH 2,756 Posted September 25, 2015 Author Share Posted September 25, 2015 No, I have copper foil that I use as a backing when I solder them to build up areas that are gone.The lead is a lot easier to work with/fix to get it all smooth vs brazing or welding.Structural parts I will braze or weld.Tom Link to post Share on other sites
nugget108 1,647 Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 Great job. They were sure rough to start but the finished product turned out awesome. Link to post Share on other sites
AuTSaurus 33 Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 Daaaa__ nice work there, Mr TomH.You are obviously quite an artisan. Link to post Share on other sites
Alwaysdirty 914 Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 WOW! Seriously nice work dude. Link to post Share on other sites
weaver hillbille 488 Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 TomH, do you use just straight lead or antimony/lead alloy since it's harder( I think it's harder)? Link to post Share on other sites
TomH 2,756 Posted September 26, 2015 Author Share Posted September 26, 2015 TomH, do you use just straight lead or antimony/lead alloy since it's harder( I think it's harder)?50/50 or 70/30..........the new "lead free" (90/10) does not work, too much tin in it ...it doesn't flow for a crap.Any time you add tin...it will get harder..but will not flow as good. 50/50 is the bomb! But, the greenys say if you eat it it will make you sick so its getting hard to find. Buying the old stuff off of E-bay. Rosin core works the best. Acid core..not so good.Tom Link to post Share on other sites
TomH 2,756 Posted September 26, 2015 Author Share Posted September 26, 2015 Just a side note..........I enjoy making silk purses out of sows ears This little side job I have really lets me get the creative juices flowing and inventing on howto fix the parts.Most plating shops will not take the time required to do the part right.Got a good bunch of guys I do work for that don't mind me taking the time and paying for the part as long as its donecorrectly.Been really fortunate to do some one/off parts for cars and a Futurama bus from the 50s. (the mirrors) Been doing it for 14 yrs and love it! Tom Link to post Share on other sites
LukeJ 2,071 Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Totally awesome dude !! Really, nice work Tom. Link to post Share on other sites
Cowkiller 150 Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Tom you do fine work! Link to post Share on other sites
Hoser John 1,240 Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Looks nice but missing the nickel plating needed to maintain gloss and longevity. Great repair job. John Link to post Share on other sites
frank c 966 Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Beautiful Tom !! Link to post Share on other sites
newriverblake 38 Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Nice work Tom, you should Crome plate your 5000 control box and your D-11 talk about some Bling!!! Link to post Share on other sites
TomH 2,756 Posted September 26, 2015 Author Share Posted September 26, 2015 John: There is nickel on it. That's part of the process. Copper/nickel/chrome.Blake: I've plated a hermit pick...only one in the world like it and Bunk has it.Tom Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Furness 1,511 Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 Nice work Tom! If my brother hasn't had some parts done back East I may bring them back and have you do them. From the pics I know he would be very satisfied ... he is a bit of a perfectionist! Link to post Share on other sites
El Dorado 964 Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Dang Tom, that is really cool. Hard to imagine something that bad can be made whole again Link to post Share on other sites
Swampstomper Al 1,336 Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 That is seriously some really excellent workmanship you've done there, Tom..!I helped a vendor buddy of mine for a dozen years work the SE US Car Corral & Swap Meet showcircuit and I've seen it all; wayyy more bad than better, re-popped pieces included..So it makes me feel hopeful every time I meet someone who still does any type of restoration properly..SAPS -- If you always take pix of your work progression and wouldn't mind having reflection-free photos ofthe finished chromed items instead of Dali-esque shots of yourself & work space background, shoot me a PM..It's easier than you think once you know the secrets.. Link to post Share on other sites
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