Rockne33DLXRoadster Posted July 11, 2017 Posted July 11, 2017 H E L P ! Any chance to get a 84 years old broken pot metal part (zinc cast) repaired and chromed? Thank you !!!
starlightcoupe Posted July 12, 2017 Posted July 12, 2017 Jörg, Depending on the piece and the severity of the break? Most high-end chrome shops can mend a great deal and, when beyond mending, a cast can be made and the part reproduced. Which part is the problem? Can you post a photo? 2
Rockne33DLXRoadster Posted July 12, 2017 Author Posted July 12, 2017 Hi Brad, both lamp brackets are broken, there where the rod to grille goes in. Also the Side mount holder and wing nut are broken. Someone tried to fix them.... I have a spare side mount holder but will try to safe these parts. Joerg
Spinneyhill Posted July 12, 2017 Posted July 12, 2017 You need low temperature welding or solder and a lot of care. If you use a solder, it must be a plateable solder. Welding requires a localised temperature of about 750 °F=400 °C and you must be very careful to contain the heat and stop it spreading. It will melt the part. Frequent brushing with water helps to keep the temperature of the rest of the part below 300 °F =150 °C. A thin brass or stainless steel rod is used to "puddle" the molten zinc during welding - these metals won't melt at that temperature. A zinc rod is used to add metal during welding. You can make a thin zinc rod by pouring molten zinc onto a steel plate from a moving ladle. You can straighten a bent area a little at a time, keeping the area of the casting being worked on at around 350 °F=175 °C. I have used clamps + boiling water + gentle clamp tightening to straighten fuel pump tops while they are at 100 °C. 1
starlightcoupe Posted July 12, 2017 Posted July 12, 2017 I would also note the headlight stanchions on my Detroit-assembled Rockne are black like the fenders, and show no signs of chrome beneath the paint. Perhaps the chrome on yours is a contribution from its Netherlands assembly? 1
Rockne33DLXRoadster Posted July 12, 2017 Author Posted July 12, 2017 8 hours ago, Spinneyhill said: You need low temperature welding or solder and a lot of care. If you use a solder, it must be a plateable solder. Welding requires a localised temperature of about 750 °F=400 °C and you must be very careful to contain the heat and stop it spreading. It will melt the part. Frequent brushing with water helps to keep the temperature of the rest of the part below 300 °F =150 °C. A thin brass or stainless steel rod is used to "puddle" the molten zinc during welding - these metals won't melt at that temperature. A zinc rod is used to add metal during welding. You can make a thin zinc rod by pouring molten zinc onto a steel plate from a moving ladle. You can straighten a bent area a little at a time, keeping the area of the casting being worked on at around 350 °F=175 °C. I have used clamps + boiling water + gentle clamp tightening to straighten fuel pump tops while they are at 100 °C. Thank you for all these informations. I gave a test Part to chrome shop for deplating and will try your after i get it back! Thank you so much joe
Rockne33DLXRoadster Posted July 12, 2017 Author Posted July 12, 2017 45 minutes ago, starlightcoupe said: I would also note the headlight stanchions on my Detroit-assembled Rockne are black like the fenders, and show no signs of chrome beneath the paint. Perhaps the chrome on yours is a contribution from its Netherlands assembly? Brad, maybe its part of the "DeLuxe" Package? The car also have chrome trim rings on wheels and dual chromed Horns. Do you know the whire wheels originally are chromed to? thank you Joerg
Spinneyhill Posted July 12, 2017 Posted July 12, 2017 See if you can find something to practice on before you get onto the real thing. You only get one chance on the original part! 1
Rockne33DLXRoadster Posted July 12, 2017 Author Posted July 12, 2017 5 minutes ago, Spinneyhill said: See if you can find something to practice on before you get onto the real thing. You only get one chance on the original part! Thats the plan :-)
barryh Posted July 15, 2017 Posted July 15, 2017 The best thing to do is send it to Custom Polish Chrome in Houston for professional repair & plating to show condition. https://www.custompolishchromeplating.com 1
starlightcoupe Posted July 15, 2017 Posted July 15, 2017 (edited) Jörg is in Leipzig, Germany. He may wish to explore services on "the continent" first. Edited July 15, 2017 by starlightcoupe (see edit history) 1
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