So, as I have a couple of these trucks I am working on, the 1973 and a 1970 I picked up for my son (which he keeps saying he wants to start the build thread). I decided to delve into the black art of restoring the finish on various parts as the cost to buy new or send parts out is both stupid expensive and runs the risk of morons losing parts for you.
After researching and watching about 800 hours of videos, I have figured out that no one tells you the true secret of a nice shiny plate. So in order to allow anyone who might decide to also do this, I wont tell you the secret either, dont want to spoil you.
My setup is the Caswell CopyCad system. I currently am running a 1.5 Gallon setup for the plater, but am upgrading to a 3 gallon system to do larger pieces. I also have the Yellow Chromate finish, the Blue Chromate finish, The Black Oxide Finish and a Stainless Steel blackener. I did not do the Caswell Kit as it was pretty expensive, but instead used their refill chemicals to get more bang for my buck. I am using a Chinese Linear Power Supply, 0-30V DC, 0-30Amps. it can do constant voltage or constant Amperage (secret is amperage per surface area)
Anyhow, I have been doing a bunch of test pieces and started an actual production piece which is a full Carb restoration and rebuild. Complete breakdown of all parts, Hot Tank, Soda Blast, Re-Plate all parts in Zinc and depending on part, either Zinc blue or Yellow Chromate.
All Parts are finished and plated, currently doing the re-assembly and initial setup of carb using the Toyota Rebuild Manual.
Initial pics of Carb:
After researching and watching about 800 hours of videos, I have figured out that no one tells you the true secret of a nice shiny plate. So in order to allow anyone who might decide to also do this, I wont tell you the secret either, dont want to spoil you.
My setup is the Caswell CopyCad system. I currently am running a 1.5 Gallon setup for the plater, but am upgrading to a 3 gallon system to do larger pieces. I also have the Yellow Chromate finish, the Blue Chromate finish, The Black Oxide Finish and a Stainless Steel blackener. I did not do the Caswell Kit as it was pretty expensive, but instead used their refill chemicals to get more bang for my buck. I am using a Chinese Linear Power Supply, 0-30V DC, 0-30Amps. it can do constant voltage or constant Amperage (secret is amperage per surface area)
Anyhow, I have been doing a bunch of test pieces and started an actual production piece which is a full Carb restoration and rebuild. Complete breakdown of all parts, Hot Tank, Soda Blast, Re-Plate all parts in Zinc and depending on part, either Zinc blue or Yellow Chromate.
All Parts are finished and plated, currently doing the re-assembly and initial setup of carb using the Toyota Rebuild Manual.
Initial pics of Carb:
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