Red Rescued - Page 5

Topic: Red Rescued (Read 18103 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Red Rescue

Reply #60 – October 13, 2021, 12:57:32 PM

Thanks, I think you're a little further on than me though.
I'm going to start pulling things off again soon!

Re: Red Rescue

Reply #61 – October 18, 2021, 08:18:19 AM

Ok, so this is something that I've been wanting to do for a while and I've finally got around to having a go.

Untitled by Dave Ackerman, on Flickr
No, it's not producing drugs! It's electroplating the bolts.

Untitled by Dave Ackerman, on Flickr
As you know, 99% of the bolts on a mk2 are made up primarily of rust at this point.
While I can blast them off, they'll rust in about 20 minutes and any paint will just crack off when you tighten them.
So I bit the bullet, bought a kit, read the manual, re-read the manual and then just watched a couple of youtube videos on it!
Must say, I'm very pleased with the results, they're not perfect, but there is plenty more bolts to experiment on.

Untitled by Dave Ackerman, on Flickr

Untitled by Dave Ackerman, on Flickr
Learnings so far:
The power supply with the kit is a bit crap, so I've ordered a bench power supply with I and V control.
Wire brushing the bolts after blasting will provide much better results, so a wire wheel for the bench grinder is on order too.

Just a quick shot of before, after blasting and plated

Untitled by Dave Ackerman, on Flickr

Re: Red Rescue

Reply #62 – October 18, 2021, 09:13:09 AM

I told you to wire brush them :-). Also just two bolts at a time until you are getting consistent good results.

Re: Red Rescue

Reply #63 – October 18, 2021, 09:36:41 AM

Haha! Had a feeling that was you on FB.
Yeah, to be honest, we only went for 6 bolts to test both the rail and the power supply that came with the kit, as it turns out, it's not really strong enough. Yesterday was all about getting a feel for the kit and having a bit of a play.
If I'm honest, I'm surprised we got them as good as we did!

One, thing, do you know anywhere that has conversion tables for working out the surface area of bolts?
I'm sure someone must have a site somewhere for it.
If not, I'll knock up a spreadsheet with a calculation on it.

Re: Red Rescue

Reply #64 – October 18, 2021, 09:47:06 AM

2 * Pi R squared + Pi D * L. But after you have done a few you will look at them and say, this 1.5 inches square. Then when you have your power pack you will set a current then check the voltage and a quick visual, adjust, then set the timer.

Edit, I've just recently posted some of my plating on my build thread.

Re: Red Rescue

Reply #65 – October 18, 2021, 10:39:36 AM

That does look really good, did you plate your calipers too?

Re: Red Rescue

Reply #66 – October 18, 2021, 01:11:50 PM

I paid for calipers, engine end plate, engine mounts, gearbox steady arm and inner CV shield to be plated. I couldn't generate the required current from my lab power pack.
Everything else including the CV joints I've done in a 10lt DIY tank. I'm particularly pleased with the rear shocks. The plated components came out very well. Will post when I get to fitting.

Re: Red Rescue

Reply #67 – October 25, 2021, 12:27:34 AM

Never did get around to doing this, looks like I missed a trick!

(The Irn Bru's probably got your insides looking even cleaner.)

Re: Red Rescue

Reply #68 – October 25, 2021, 06:57:16 AM

Quote from: L90E on October 25, 2021, 12:27:34 AM

Never did get around to doing this, looks like I missed a trick!

(The Irn Bru's probably got your insides looking even cleaner.)

We bought a case of it by accident, now I'm addicted to the stuff!

Re: Red Rescue

Reply #69 – October 25, 2021, 08:26:05 AM

Quote from: Monkey on October 25, 2021, 06:57:16 AM

Quote from: L90E on October 25, 2021, 12:27:34 AM
Never did get around to doing this, looks like I missed a trick!

(The Irn Bru's probably got your insides looking even cleaner.)

We bought a case of it by accident, now I'm addicted to the stuff!

OOooo - I love a bit of Irn Bru. Irn Bru and a Twix was my little sugar boost to get me through when I used to work nights. It's still a standard 'pick me up - get me through' thing in my family now.

Amazing work on the bolts and bits

Re: Red Rescue

Reply #70 – October 25, 2021, 08:18:24 PM

So yesterday was a much better day for plating.
Took all the learnings ad advice from last week, bought a wire wheel for the bench grinder and a lab power supply with up to 5A delivery current.

Untitled by Dave Ackerman, on Flickr
Also, ran out of Irn Bru, so switched back to coke

Untitled by Dave Ackerman, on Flickr

It's made a huge difference! The plating is now much more consistent and infinitely more controllable with the PSU.

Untitled by Dave Ackerman, on Flickr
Managed to get all this done yesterday

Untitled by Dave Ackerman, on Flickr

On another note, I'd done a little research and bought a Headliner-World headliner on ebay.

Untitled by Dave Ackerman, on Flickr

The fit is spot on, all holes are in the right places and the a/b/c pillars all line up too

Untitled by Dave Ackerman, on Flickr

Untitled by Dave Ackerman, on Flickr

I've still got the inner sunroof and blinds etc to cover.
But I'll do that at a later date, when I can focus on just that, not dipping in and out between plating.

Re: Red Rescue

Reply #71 – October 26, 2021, 07:33:21 PM

Headliner wasn't cheap but it definitely looks to be worth every penny. it's great that it's getting to be there's not much left you can't source new for a MK2.

You make it sound easy, bet it was anything but, though not at difficult as explaining away the C & B's on you picnic table!

Re: Red Rescue

Reply #72 – October 26, 2021, 08:31:14 PM

Quote from: L90E on October 26, 2021, 07:33:21 PM

Headliner wasn't cheap but it definitely looks to be worth every penny. it's great that it's getting to be there's not much left you can't source new for a MK2.

You make it sound easy, bet it was anything but, though not at difficult as explaining away the C & B's on you picnic table!

Haha! Yes, that was a 'Birthday Card' one of my mates drew for the other a few weeks ago!

Ok, a little more plating porn, as I was at the workshop today.
I cracked on and dropped the suspension off, painted the wheel arches and plated anything I could get my hands on!!

Untitled by Dave Ackerman, on Flickr

Untitled by Dave Ackerman, on Flickr

Then I noticed the wheel nuts...

Untitled by Dave Ackerman, on Flickr

Untitled by Dave Ackerman, on Flickr
And the sh1t shield bolts

Untitled by Dave Ackerman, on Flickr

I plated loads today, basically setting everything up, leaving them to plate for 30 minutes, while I tinkered about with other bits and repeat.
That container from the other post is basically full now.

Re: Red Rescue

Reply #73 – October 27, 2021, 12:13:19 AM

An electrolytic rust conversion tank would take the pressure of your wire wheel, it must be busy, and give even better plating results. It will slow you down though, that’s been quite a busy tank.

Re: Red Rescue

Reply #74 – October 27, 2021, 08:35:43 AM

I did think about the rust conversion tank after seeing Tims brake disc efforts a while ago.
But everything goes into the sand blaster before it goes to the wire wheel, that helps loads.
I tried a couple of bolts without the blasting, it took ages, didn't look at good and I just ended up blasting them again!