Galvanizing and electroless nickel

[punkassbob]

Hi,

Got a quick question.

Can I use electroless nickel kit on hardware store nuts and bolts?
I think they are galvanized.

Manual mentions zinc contamination is a bad thing.
But aluminum should be zincated first right?
So I'm little confused.

Thanks for your help.

[KCV6]

zincating only leaves a small electroless deposit of zinc. In short yes this will contaminate your solution, but only a very small amount which should not cause any problems. Even thoroughly stripped bolts will still have a small amount of zinc present which ends up in the solution.

Definately strip the hardware before plating.