Cadmium Plating- 77648AH

[Marc Sova]

So Im led to believe the cage on this pedestal Emerson 77648AH I got yesterday was cadmium plated? Did it look like chrome? Or would it have been “warmer” like nickel??? The place where I got the imperial swan cage plated said they could do nickel too (apprently it’s the first step under chrome?). It would have a warmer look to it but would also dull and tarnish(?) unlike chrome. Pondering that for this cage. 

[Geoff Dunaway]

 If U know a good powdercoater, the best / most economical way IMMHO, to fake out cadmium plate is to get the cage powdercoated aluminum then clearcoat over that. In my book,  a great sub for original cadmium plate.

[Marc Sova]

2 hours ago, Geoff Dunaway said:

 If U know a good powdercoater, the best / most economical way IMMHO, to fake out cadmium plate is to get the cage powdercoated aluminum then clearcoat over that. In my book,  a great sub for original cadmium plate.

Ahhhhhh. Ok, so it did definitely have a different look from chrome? Not quite so “blingy”???

[Steve Cunningham]

It’s been years since we had car platinum done. You can get black cad. But I’d go with Geoff’s opinions.

[Bill Dunlap]

Cadmium plating process is highly toxic. That's why it has mainly disappeared. In it's place, zinc plating has become the norm. Not to be confused with hot dip galvanizing, which it something entirely different. It's cheap, but they usually quote large lot prices, like 50$ for 25 lbs. so it may not be an option. Nickel plating is nice, but more expensive, but my opinion is that it won't hold up well under constant use, ie. it will rust quickly.

[Trevor Andersen]

On rough cages that were cadmium plated the powder coat mentioned is probably the best imitation if you can get it done or set up to do it. I use Createx paints on mine as with most of my fan painting. For cadmium cages I use this https://spraygunner.com/products/wicked-colors-aluminum-coarse-w356 . I spray it over a base coat of their silver sealer and top coat with a 2k satin clear coat. 

[Trevor Andersen]

Also I forgot this existed. I used this before I started using Createx. It does a pretty good job as well but the powder coat idea is better.

https://www.eastwood.com/ew-silver-cad-aerosol-12-oz.html?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwupGyBhBBEiwA0UcqaEK9cYeSesVc6Kbv2kjqCFO5mdrf8VCYxX1UAPGmyNAToCxYVRWTyBoCT-EQAvD_BwE&wcid=18669317226&wickedid=629998653974&wickedsource=google&wv=4

[Marc Sova]

2 hours ago, Trevor Andersen said:

Also I forgot this existed. I used this before I started using Createx. It does a pretty good job as well but the powder coat idea is better.

https://www.eastwood.com/ew-silver-cad-aerosol-12-oz.html?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwupGyBhBBEiwA0UcqaEK9cYeSesVc6Kbv2kjqCFO5mdrf8VCYxX1UAPGmyNAToCxYVRWTyBoCT-EQAvD_BwE&wcid=18669317226&wickedid=629998653974&wickedsource=google&wv=4

Interesting. I may just go the route of the Eastwood. I’m just trying to learn what original Academy and Plating looked like. I mean was it bright and shiny like chrome? Or not? It references the “bluish tint of cad plating” in the description for the Eastwood product. So to me that just sounds like chrome as opposed to zinc, which is a warmer tone, but was the cad less “blingy”? less mirror like? More dull???

[Marc Sova]

7 hours ago, Bill Dunlap said:

Cadmium plating process is highly toxic. That's why it has mainly disappeared. In it's place, zinc plating has become the norm. Not to be confused with hot dip galvanizing, which it something entirely different. It's cheap, but they usually quote large lot prices, like 50$ for 25 lbs. so it may not be an option. Nickel plating is nice, but more expensive, but my opinion is that it won't hold up well under constant use, ie. it will rust quickly.

I can get the cage chromed for $100. That includes them doing all the stripping and prep etc. I can’t imagine powdercoating being much cheaper. But….i want the look to be closer to original. If chrome is too mirror like then maybe the powder coat is better. 

[Lane Shirey]

Chrome is too shiny. Cad plating when new looks a lot like fresh aluminum.  Be careful if sanding that cage, as the sanding dust is very toxic, even if it gets on your skin.  Minimally, wear gloves and a face mask. Better yet, do it outdoors. 

[Marc Sova]

2 hours ago, Lane Shirey said:

Chrome is too shiny. Cad plating when new looks a lot like fresh aluminum.  Be careful if sanding that cage, as the sanding dust is very toxic, even if it gets on your skin.  Minimally, wear gloves and a face mask. Better yet, do it outdoors. 

Yeah for sure on the PPE. I’d definitely do it “wet” too with wd40 or blue magic too. That’s kind of what I liked about taking it to this Plating place. They would just dip it in a couple different vats of whatever chemical juice and do all the stripping and what not. But yeah, it sounds like the powder coat might be the best option. Thanks.
 

[Robert Grove]

Hi mark, when I used the Eastwood cad paint system I believe it was a 3 or 4 step but results was amazing, it replicated brake booster look on 70s GM vehicles 

[Lane Shirey]

Most powder coasters will do the strip and prep for you too. At least mine do. 

[Marc Sova]

On 5/17/2024 at 6:34 AM, Lane Shirey said:

Most powder coasters will do the strip and prep for you too. At least mine do. 

Doc above mentioned clear coat over the powdercoat. Is that something they do or me? Is it necessary for durability or just that it replicates the look of the cadmium more maybe. Assuming auto clear coat or the areosol 2k catalized stuff. 

[Marc Sova]

On 5/16/2024 at 8:41 AM, Robert Grove said:

Hi mark, when I used the Eastwood cad paint system I believe it was a 3 or 4 step but results was amazing, it replicated brake booster look on 70s GM vehicles 

Hmmm…,I don’t eee anything about other steps/products along with that Eastwood aerosol can. 

[Bill Dunlap]

The aluminized powder coat has actual metal inside it. It can oxidize. Most products require a clear powder coat over them to prevent oxidation, or just plain rubbing the shine off. It dulls the shine some, but if you're looking to reproduce the look of dull cad plating, this is what you want.

[Marce Clark]

I use to work for a plating company years ago and we did it all from cadmium to copper Nickel and chrome almost every type. Bill is right about the cadmium process it is very toxic please be very careful if you go that route.

 

 

Marce Clark

[Mark Behrend]

Here’s a good example

[Russ Huber]

Simulation chrome and clear coat powders.

 

SUPER CHROME PLUS | UMS-10671 | Prismatic Powders

CLEAR VISION | PPS-2974 | Prismatic Powders

Edited May 19, 2024 by Russ Huber

[Russ Huber]

Polished aluminum and clear coat powder. 

POLISHED ALUMINUM | HSS-2345 | Prismatic Powders

CLEAR VISION | PPS-2974 | Prismatic Powders

Edited May 19, 2024 by Russ Huber

[Russ Huber]

If you're just doing one guard per, say, go talk to a REPUTIBLE powder coater. They have powders like this in stock and have the ability to match what you seek. I have ordered in bulk from Prismatic for multiple future projects.

[Russ Huber]

I ordered this wrinkle finish below in bulk from Prismatic, but the powder coater had their own wrinkle finish from their supplier. Powder coating finishes are expanding big time.

[Russ Huber]

There are people here that swear by Eastwood powder, etc. Shop around for what trips your trigger. None of it was manufactured and blessed by the higher power. 🙂

[Bill Dunlap]

I buy from Prismatic Powders, Powder By the Pound, mostly. I like the sample pictures and RAL color guides that help me pick the best color. Selling small quantities is great for home powder coaters.  But there are dozens out there, even Amazon and Ebay getting into the act. Also, a pretty good gun and power supply can be had for 150$ that will get the job done at home. I spent much more than that, but I did have a home business doing this for a while. Coupled with a Luby 110V oven for just over 100$ and you can powder coat virtually every thing found on an antique fan except 16" guards.

Cheers,

Bill

[Russ Huber]

49 minutes ago, Bill Dunlap said:

I buy from Prismatic Powders, Powder By the Pound, mostly.

That's what I was referring to by buying bulk, buy by the pound. All my powders with exception to gloss black are Prismatic. I have a powder coater that lets me into the shop to do all the prep work using their (heat taping, plugs, and thread plugs) for a discount rate. The Ward circulator base, pole, and guard are all Prismatic powders. Prismatic is right up there with McMaster Carr, your powder is shipped to you within but a few days.