Newb ?: Sealing fuel pressure regulators for chromate plating?

[teutonic]

I have two engine's worth of Bosch fuel pressure regulators that I want to have re-plated (yellow zinc chromate) by a local plating company . I have them bead blasted but am stuck on how best to seal the fuel line connections, as I'd imagine the rubber diaphragm inside would not appreciate the plating proces....The problem is the connections are M16 x 1.5 threads. One possibility is this:



If I seal the threads with PFTE tape, would that be an adequate seal to submerge these?

I also sent away to a plastics company for some samples of threaded plastic caps that you see on pipes to protect the threads. I got the sample yesterday and they're a perfect fit but I don't know whether the plastic seals the threads tight enough, or whether the plastic would survive the plating process.

I know I should just go ask the guy at the plating shop, but that's a 40 mile round trip. Thoughts? Thanks!

[woodjames]

I have two engine's worth of Bosch fuel pressure regulators that I want to have re-plated (yellow zinc chromate) by a local plating company . I have them bead blasted but am stuck on how best to seal the fuel line connections, as I'd imagine the rubber diaphragm inside would not appreciate the plating proces....The problem is the connections are M16 x 1.5 threads. One possibility is this:



If I seal the threads with PFTE tape, would that be an adequate seal to submerge these?


I'm sure you'll be fine with this. Try this, seal 'er all up and put it in water, if bubbles come out from the "seals", from air being trapped inside, then keep trying. Also, make sure it doesn't float, with all the air trapped inside, that will make things a little more difficult.

I also sent away to a plastics company for some samples of threaded plastic caps that you see on pipes to protect the threads. I got the sample yesterday and they're a perfect fit but I don't know whether the plastic seals the threads tight enough, or whether the plastic would survive the plating process.

[I]Plastics are usually fine. If it is polyethylene, which is heavily used, you'll be fine. The rubber itself should be fine anyways, it's a relatively short process. The are certain processes that can damage rubber, chrome plating for example can. There is some hex chromium in a chromate, but not the same concentration, however you will be sealing it. Just be sure things get rinsed very well. If a bright dip is involved in the platers process, that may be the biggest factor. You can also us silicone plugs[/I]

I know I should just go ask the guy at the plating shop, but that's a 40 mile round trip. Thoughts? Thanks!

More than likely he'll have everything needed, but I've heard of some commercial platers inadvertantly damaging parts. But remember it's a part to you, and metal to him, be sure to communicate with him what you just did to us.

[goldrapt]

Good post Jimmy.

[teutonic]

James-

Thanks for the reply! I showed my engine builder my frankenstein bolt setup (pictured), he just sort of laughed (at me) and suggested some silicone plugs.....

[woodjames]

It would have worked, he was just threatened by your creativity. There's a lot of people on this group that do zinc plating and chromating, seanc, mr.pontiac come to mind. You could save yourself some driving!!!

James.

James-

Thanks for the reply! I showed my engine builder my frankenstein bolt setup (pictured), he just sort of laughed (at me) and suggested some silicone plugs.....

[teutonic]

James-

I toyed with the idea of learning to do it myself, but I can get an entire engine's-worth of stuff done for $95. So it's kind of hard to rationalize buying all the stuff to do it myself.

Here's the last engine's worth:

[teutonic]

Uno mas:



I know, I'm cheating since I didn't DIY. (I promise I did all the cleaning and bead blasting!)

[woodjames]

95 bucks was really a impressive price until I got down to the end when I saw that you did all the work! or at lest 95% of it. Looks good just on the table, sure it'll look even better on the vehicle.

Uno mas:


I know, I'm cheating since I didn't DIY. (I promise I did all the cleaning and bead blasting!)