CASWELL "Copy CAD" - Examples of my efforts (not bad)
 

Hi all: Being the incurable DIYer that I am, I invested in one of the many CASWELL DIY plating products. What drew me to do this is that the "bling" of the common bright yellow zinc plating available today was not "right" for what I was after. I wanted a protective finish that would not rust but still had that 'patina' cad finish. The CASWELL "copy cad", which is really a zinc electro plate, is followed by a soak in yellow chromate bath. You can control the amount of CAD yellowing by the duration you leave the part in the yellow chromate bath.

Here's what I got on the first batch run.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1248103467.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1248103514.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1248103567.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1248103613.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1248103683.jpg


Some notable points about the product. In the case of the copy cad, you DO NOT throw out the degreaser or electrolytes after each run. You retain the solutions in plastic buckets and when you need to do another run, you simply reheat the buckets, and add voltage and your replating. There is no waste. The base liquid is distilled water. I would definitely make the investment to get the $129 power supply so start up costs for the kit is around $350. You can if you want too, create the bright yellow zinc look. Its an additive to the to copy cad solution.

Anyway, just wanted to share. I think with practice, I'll be able to get some really great results. The key is getting the current setting correct. NOTE: To get the dull CAD look, you have to bead blast the parts.

I will try to "cad plate" some weber carbs so stay tuned...

And then lightly burnish them with a wire brush. Use a stainless steel one so you don't contaminate your parts. They won't be dull as in "flat" looking. But, neither were the factory parts.

Here's a while-you're-there project ;-)

Cut a couple of flats on the top strut washer. Then you can use a wrench to hold it still, instead of tearing it up with channel locks and such.