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More Mazak- or is it Zamak?

Submitted by michael_coare on Mon, 22/08/2022
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Nortons - General

Just been watching Salvage Hunters: Classic Cars. When the chaps bought a late 50’s Volvo Amazon saloon, their resident “car guru” was surprised to find out that the chunky bootlid fairing/ bootlock/lamp holder was made of zamak, which he seemed never to have heard of (some guru….!). This is of course the same stuff our Slimline and Lightweight tank flashes are made of. He found out getting it re-chromed was somewhere between very difficult and impossible- but what he did find was a chap (in Leicester? Missed a bit) who said he could produce a spray finish identical to chrome. The team were so impressed with the result, they even had the chunky bumpers “chrome- sprayed”. All seemed agreed “I can’t believe it’s not chrome”. Price for the bootlid fairing was I think £150.

Anybody know who this outfit was, and have they any experience with Norton stuff? That said, I think from previous comments that a badly pitted tank badge might still be beyond restoration.

Submitted by terry_maslin on Tue, 23/08/2022

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I've had Mazak chromed in the past, chrome platers build up a thick coating of copper which gradually fills the pinholes. It cannot be done if  the surface is too far gone. The copper is then nickel and chrome finished.

It's labour intensive so can be expensive and some platers want quick(ish) results so won't take it on.

The spray finish sounds excellent , especially if some filling is OK for the worst bits.

So who was that firm ?

Regards all....

Submitted by david_cooper on Tue, 23/08/2022

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There are now several suppliers for chrome spray that does look like metal plate and not just silver paint.  The best appear to lay real silver from silver nitrate, just like a mirror, and then it's protected using 2 pack lacquer.  Some years ago there was a bike pictures in Classic Motorcycle with its tank chrome spray painted.  Looked perfect - in a photo.  It looks like it could be the future. 

Check :   http://www.chromespray.co.uk/ for profressional painting.

 

Also: https://www.sprayonchromeuk.co.uk/ for DIY.

 

But I've not tried them - surely someone has?

 

Using 2 pack is not advised for home - but there are suppliers of 2 pack lacquer in aerosol (Riolett).  With a good charcoal filter mask and a calm day, it should be safe enough outdoors.  I used their paint on the side panels of a tank and it was fine.  And fuel resistant.

 

There is of course the option of vinyl wrap.  Lots of YouTube videos.  I did my 16H oil tank with it.  Looks OK from a distance!  But I'd have thought it would work well for the side badges, since the edges can be tucked well round the back.  There are quite a few 'chrome plated' cars around, with some entirely different colour on their V5C.

 

Submitted by michael_coare on Tue, 23/08/2022

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David, the silver nitrate rings a bell with the process shown in the program. As in all things, preparation is key, hence the labour time and therefore cost. The sprayer was able to lightly machine sand the worst of the pitting on the car parts, however Norton badges with their lettering and ribbing would prevent this with the pitting experienced below the level of these raised parts except where not very severe.

I picked up a pair of roughish tank badges a few years ago at Kempton, but they are deep in storage along with the rest of my "projects", so I'm not able to give this process a try.

Hopefully others have some actual results and recommendations to pass on.

 


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