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MG TD TF 1500 - Cad VS Nickle

I know the ID plate was nickel, but were there other parts that were nickle coated? What about Cadium? Was it used on the TD?
Bruce Cunha

The TD handbrake bracket and ratchet mechanism was cad plated and maybe the engine stabiliser bracket, though the jury is still out on that one. No doubt there were other bits as well. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

The oil cap knob was nickel and the clamp to the steering column.

Frank Cronin

2

Frank Cronin

Bruce: You will not find a source for CAD in your area. But they can actually do a type of satin chrome that looks like CAD.

The difference between nickel and chrome is actually the chrome part. Nickel is sort of an yellowish silver while chrome adds that bluish tinge. The third component copper (which is actually the first to be applied) is like a filler. It acts sort of like a primer would be for paint.
Christopher Couper

Chris Not True! I have all my original hardware cad plated in Sacramento less than two miles from my house. Just a short hop skip and a few jumps for you and Bruce.

It’s finding a high quality chromer in our region that is the real problem. I have a stack of original bumpers radiator shells, door handles and other pieces that I want to restore. I prefer to use them than the repro’s. The chrome parts from Asia are absolute crap. Flash chromed and rust develops within six months if they were done properly they wouldn’t be pitted and rusting at all. Just my 5¢ rant for the day

Bill Chasser
TD -4834
W A Chasser

Hmm. When I had some work done in 2013 I called all around and no one would CAD plate. They offered zinc and a soft chrome, which I went with. They all of course sited Calif environmental reasons for no CAD. So clearly someone found a way.

I can send you to a great chrome shop, but bring your checkbook. Email me for the name.
Christopher Couper

I do my own cad, zinc and nickle. Pretty easy for small parts. Did all the bolts and clips on my 67 GT and they are holding up pretty well.

Did the ID plates in Nickle and they came out pretty good. Going to redo the oil cap in it.

Will also do the parking brake parts in Cad.
Bruce Cunha

That's impressive Bruce. As I'm a confirmed DIY type can you suggest a link or two? Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

I started by using Eastwoods zinc plating kit. it uses a very low voltage (two D batterys) for plating and is good for individual nuts and bolts.

After the first solution was used up, I started making my own. (Vinegar, epsom salt and sugar.) Here is a good article on it.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?14392-DIY-Zinc-Plating-for-Donor-Nuts-and-Bolts

You can purchase pure zinc on ebay also.

Nickle is also easy. Here is the thread I used to make my solution. Got the pure nickle of ebay. https://www.instructables.com/id/High-Quality-and-safe-Nickel-Plating/

I ended up purchasing a used variable voltage DC power supply. This allows me to tweek the plating.

I have not done Cadmium in some time. There are some non-cyanide plating solutions for it, but they don't work as well. I did not like working with cyanide. Any mistake can be very bad. As Bill pointed out. It is not all that expensive to have parts cad plated.

The real trick to good plating is good cleaning. I wire wheel each piece, clean in a ultrasound with a degreaser, rinse with distilled water and then plate.

This is what my ID plates came out looking like after nickle plating (letters were painted after plating, but I understand you can leave the paint in and it will plate fine.)


Bruce Cunha

Thanks Bruce. I was mightily impressed with your ID plates. The infill painting is top class. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Can someone tell me what type of plating was on the original oil filler cap. I got a new one from Abingdon Spares and it looks like a brass finish.

Thanks

Tim
Timothy Burchfield

Nickle Tim. I have one of those replacement caps. My gasket deteriorated in my original cap and I have not figured out a way to replace it as you have to drill out the pull button on the top to replace it.

If you can do without it for a week or so, I can plate it for you. Have a gallon of nickle plating solution made up.


I will post a separate question on how to fix the gasket.
Bruce Cunha

Peter. I used an inker's squeegee to smooth the black paint onto the plate. You then wipe it off after just a minute or so with a nearly dry rag with thinner on it. Quick soft strokes. If you wait too long, the paint drys and gets pulled out of the letters.

Next one I do, I will paint first and then plate. It is supposed to work better.
Bruce Cunha

Here is my technique at the bottom of the etchings page

www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgtd/mgtd_etchings.htm
Christopher Couper

Bruce, that is very kind of you to offer. Could you send me your email and we can discuss? I have an original cap with the gasket missing as well. I'm looking for a rubber like material that is elastic enough to stretch around the inner part of the cap and return to its original shape under the cap.

Tim
Timothy Burchfield

This thread was discussed between 19/07/2018 and 21/07/2018

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