3 questions...

[dwoodruff]

1) What is your preference on pit repair other than just copper build up? Solder-it paste? Plum-Loy? Regular stick solder? or Pit stop?

2) Do i need to apply solder to pits after flash copper or after acid copper? I've read both on this forum and was looking for a consensus. I'm guessing after acid, but does the flash withstand the heat better?

3) I want to plate my master cylinder cap which has a metal top but the underside is a soft plastic. How would I mask something like this, and can it even be done? I don't want to "eat" any of it away.

I know that's actually more than 3 questions, but you get the drift...

Thanks a bunch!!

Woody

[fly]

1. Plum- Loy.
2. After flash copper (20 min. of plating), the acid copper will have a thicker layer causing blisters.
3. You don't mask it off just make sure you have a good ground and plate the metal, the plastic will be ok....
If it were me and the pits were not that deep I would just grind and polish it out, another thing is the plastic should remove from the cap.
If the part is metal you really don't have to copper first if your using the plum-loy, cause its made to do lead work anyway.

[dwoodruff]

So I can just use the Plum-Loy on the bare steel, then sand, then go through the normal plating process? I wonder why all the documentation and talk indicates using copper first? i'll give it a try, though. thanks.

I don't know if I want to grind them out...i think they're deep enough to change the shape of the part (stick shift handle) if I do that.

Also, the master cylinder cap has the plastic pressed and crimped in, so removing it is not really an option. I was just afraid that the chemicals might have an adverse effect on it. I think I have a spare to try it out on.

Thanks again!!

[fly]

The plum loy I believe is the same as other products used for prep for useing lead on the old cars that were metal. Make sure ALL the rust is out of the pits then spread the plum loy over the pits (not too thick) and then heat until it melts.

[kingkat]

Hey fly can you tell me were to get plum loy at? Thanks

[dwoodruff]

Fortunately kingkat, you're already in the right place Caswell sells it.. here's the link.

http://www.caswellplating.com/aids/fluxolde.htm