Plating on Triumph parts.

[MIG Wielder]

I remember many years ago "when I were a lad" that the motor industry used to use a process called "Cad; and Pass;" - cadmium plating and passivation , whatever that is. What is the equivalent process now that cadmium has been banned please ?
Thanks,
Tony.

[Tony Burd]

I think they use zinc now.

[marko]

Yes, yellow dye after zinc plating. I had mixed results but eventually replated the SU parts. I bought a plating kit from just down the road from me, in South Devon.

[RobSun]

Bright zinc plating leaves a bright shiny finish and the yellow passivate leaves the yellowish finish seen on screws etc. Engineering co. I was sales manager with sold fixings by the ton as well as making everything else including car parts and aircraft components for the manufacturers. It was amazing how many furniture manufacturers ordered wood screws in BZP (bright zinc plate) and thought they were chrome plated or even stainless!!! and yellow passivate for brass. Some needed educating and then the cost made them revert to original and others knew full well but they also knew the great unwashed had no idea and as long as they were fit for purpose.

For the car industry the plating had to be as specified and tested in labs to make sure it would last an expected length of time in extreme conditions. A reason why they moved to stainless for bumpers etc. Those pesky screws that have rusted in place but cannot be seen; not such a problem. Cadmium stopped being used because it is very toxic but can still be found in some soft and silver solders.

[MIG Wielder]

Thank you All for your advice and comments. That has given me a lot to think about.
Cheers for now,
Tony.