What is the process called.....
 

to apply the yellowish finish to steel, such as the spring plates, bolts, etc to keep them from rusting? Are there any DIY products out there?

Thanks much.

Yellow zinc cadmium plating.

Eastwood sells a zinc cad kit but it's not yellow. You might be able to modify it.
They also sell a spray paint for that pseudo-look.

As a side-effect of this process, the steel material is susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement. Parts like spring plates and other stressed parts should be stress-relieved (a heat treatment) before use.

Sherwood Lee
http://members.rennlist.org/911pcars

http://www.burbankplating.com/plating_types.htm

enjoy.
david 89 turbo cab

Porsche fasteners are generally gold cadmium plated.

Zinc plating is similar, but a little less expensive to do. I've found the price difference is negligible, and zinc is neither as durable nor Porsche correct, so its a waste of time.

Getting hardware cleaned and gold cad plated is a really nice touch on a project. It makes parts look OE (and "just right") and new - and its a lot less expensive than most people think. Most people also don't know where to get it done, so its not commonly done by the amateur DIY'er.

I've had it done on several project cars over the years. Most platers plate by the batch. Just about all the hardware on a car would be considered one batch, maybe two if you have big parts like spring plates, etc. Usually around $60 per batch or so, or at least that's what it was the last time I did it.

Santa Ana Plating in Santa Ana, CA (area code 714) is the place I've used and been happy with.

P.S. The Eastwood "spraypaint cad plating" is a terrible waste of time and money. Eastwood has a lot of good products - this is not one of them.

Right on! Thanks folks. Can always count on the Pelicanheads :)