Page 1 of 1
#1 Cadmium Plating
Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2017 10:50 am
by richard btype
I have asked this in the past but there was no result so trying again...
Would very much like to get a quote for Cadmium plating, it is mentioned there are one or two places still offering the service but I have not found them - anyone have a contact who could help?

#2 Re: Cadmium Plating
Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2017 11:10 am
by Gfhug
Richard, I think you'll be very lucky to find anyone who will do it.
My understanding is that it is almost totally limited to aviation and defence use and anyone doing it for a car will be by the back door.
Zinc-nickel is the way aviation is turning as cadmium is being phased out there, too, there are companies who will do that for you, though at greater cost than normal zinc plating. These might help you for small parts (nuts and bolts)
https://www.ecwilliams.co.uk/zinc-nickel-electroplating.
They may be able to point you to another company for larger parts.
Geoff
#3 Re: Cadmium Plating
Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2017 11:26 am
by Heuer
Can still be done in the USA and on almost every street corner of towns in India!:
https://dir.indiamart.com/impcat/cadmiu ... ating.html
#4 Re: Cadmium Plating
Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2017 4:15 pm
by cactusman
As David says...in the UK basically no chance. Cadmium is banned in almost all applications due to toxicity. There is an extensive thread from a year or so on the subject.
#5 Re: Cadmium Plating
Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2017 5:49 pm
by neal herridge
Be careful with Zinc Nickel as you can get a build up a round the edges of holes which can then brake off.
This is a problem which is coming up when going over to Zinc Nickel from Cad.
When its used there is often a chamfer added to holes to stop this.
I use Zinc & silver pass on E-type parts with good results if you use a good plater.
Electro less Nickel is another popular process for E-type parts but does cost more.
Neal.
#6 Re: Cadmium Plating
Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2017 9:32 am
by richard btype
Amazing to see how readily available the plating can be in India (thank you David) need to consider the consequences of secure shipping but will hold this as a possibility.
I appreciate there are lots of electro chemical processes available to replace Cad, but my experience with Zinc/yellow passivate (in more modern cars) has not been the best for reasons of longevity and its quite disappointing to go through the lengthy process of strip down and rebuild only to find the plating is deteriorating fast.
I've heard on a number of occasions that Cad plating is being done in the UK by one or two companies - just have not find out so far who they are....
#7 Re: Cadmium Plating
Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2017 4:23 pm
by neal herridge
Hi Richard.
There is one in Exeter South West Metal Finishes , who I know well but they only do MOD & aircraft work.
They don't like doing car work in any type of finish & do not like doing strip & re plate work.
They only plate new work this is because of the contamination risk to their tanks.
Even for customers who send a lot of work to them they will not take on our type of work, nor CAD plate unless its for the above , I have asked them.
I use another firm for our type of work, if its done well its not to bad , all the suspension on my first e-type was done over 6 years ago & still looks fine.
I have just had back a big batch of parts for my current project in Zinc & Silver pass .
Like all things its how well its prepped that helps.
Neal.
#8 Re: Cadmium Plating
Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2017 9:03 pm
by ysmalkie
Hi Richard,
I will soon be doing mine, here where I live, in Poland.
I have used a military factory to do it twice already. They are 50 miles from my home.
Contact me offlist if you are still interested, we can work something out.
Tadek