Page 1 of 1
#1 Re-chroming side and tail lights
Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 11:24 am
by Gfhug
The chrome finish to the (S2) side and tail light housings is getting a bit pitted.
Has anyone tried to re-chrome these? Any suggestions or thoughts will be appreciated.
Thanks
Geoff
#2 Re: Re-chroming side and tail lights
Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 3:11 pm
by rswaffie
Yes, I had mine done by Castle Chrome, mine were also quite pitted. I tried retro items but they didn’t fit as well.
#3 Re: Re-chroming side and tail lights
Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 5:29 pm
by Gfhug
Hi Richard, somehow didn't think the usual chrome platers would tackle plastic mouldings. Assumed they were for plating of metal parts.
Shall get in touch with them, many thanks.
Geoff
#4 Re: Re-chroming side and tail lights
Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 6:15 pm
by christopher storey
Geoff : I think the light fixtures are mazak ( aka monkey metal ) . The platers don't like that either, because the pits have to be filled manually and individually, but it can be done , at a price
#5 Re: Re-chroming side and tail lights
Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 8:00 pm
by rswaffie
Yes, they are Mazak and not plastic. Chris is correct, some players will not take the job on if the pitting is extensive and will work on a ‘we’ll do our best with them but no guarantees’ basis.
#6 Re: Re-chroming side and tail lights
Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2019 9:45 am
by Gfhug
Richard and Chris, thanks for these Mazak details. Chatted to Castle Chrome and they confirmed it is an awful metal to work on at circa £50-60 each, ouch!
Geoff
#7 Re: Re-chroming side and tail lights
Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2019 2:35 pm
by mark10337
There are also these guys who have done some work for me.
http://www.chromerestorationspecialist. ... o-find-us/
The price is probably about the same as Castle Chrome. That's the price for getting parts redone and fitting properly vs repros with thin chrome that don't.
I removed all the side lenses and markers last time I had some body work done
#8 Re: Re-chroming side and tail lights
Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2019 2:54 pm
by edriver
Hi Christopher & all,
the name MAZAK is unfamiliar to me. You probably mean ZAMAK or ZAMAC (zinc, aluminium, magnesium and copper) for die casting. Prototype stamping dies are are also made from this alloy.
BTW the chrome on my taillights is fine, the reflectors behind the bulbs could use some treatment.
#9 Re: Re-chroming side and tail lights
Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2019 7:11 pm
by rswaffie
Hi,
I’ve only known it as Mazak but a quick google gave a bit more info...
In the early 1930s Morris Ashby in Britain had licensed the New Jersey zamak alloy. The high-purity refluxer zinc was not available in Britain and so they acquired the right to manufacture the alloy using a locally available electrolytically refined zinc of 99.95% purity. This was given the name Mazak, partly to distinguish it from zamak and partly from the initials of Morris Ashby. In 1933, National Smelting licensed the refluxer patent with the intent of using it to produce 99.99% zinc in their plant at Avonmouth.
I’ve learned something new today!
#10 Re: Re-chroming side and tail lights
Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2023 5:30 pm
by Gfhug
Sometime later, as in I’ve only just had this work done
. I ended up going to ACF Howell on recommendation of another on the forum and convenient to drop off my parts.
They confirmed the pot-metal Mazak is indeed difficult to guarantee but they’ve done a very fine job. Yes, if you’ve got lots of pitting in the on-show sections then beware they may not hold the new chrome and still look poor. But it is worth chatting with the chromers to ask their opinion.
One happy customer and significantly cheaper than new items.
Geoff