What is Zinc Diecast ?
Also known as Pot Metal, Zinc diecast is basically a casting of metal alloy which contains zinc. It is commonly used for casting of metal products or components such as door handles, bonnet emblems, badges, light fittings, brackets, and many other automotive, household or general hardware fittings or trim.
Zinc die cast is generally a lower quality and cheaper form of casting (compared to cast iron or cast aluminium). It contains a number of impurities and can be prone to pitting and roughness, As such the quality of the material can make it more difficult to achieve and maintain a quality surface finish.
Corrosion of plated automotive parts
The problem with this material is that corrosion or deterioration goes far deeper than is usual for other materials. Car parts that are exposed to the elements (hot, cold, wet) are particularly prone to developing corrosion related problems. Even once restored using traditional methods it is very common for chrome restorations of zinc die cast parts to fail within a short time. Corroded chrome plated die cast is often easy to spot, especially on external parts that have been exposed to the elements. Its characteristics are 'bubbling' or lifting of plating, roughness piercing through the surface of the chrome and sometimes chalk like patches on the surface.
However it is not always so obvious. Often the corrosion is found beneath the old plating once it has been stripped back to bare metal for refurbishment. Before the item can be replated the surface must be treated to prevent corrosion re-occuring.
Restoration of die-cast parts
Diecast corrosion is a widespread problem but is not well understood and very difficult to resolve. Many plating or finishing companies have their own methods or tricks for dealing with and restoring chrome plated zinc die cast parts. More still will NOT treat this material at all because it is so problematic.
With such a huge presence in the Restoration sector, A Class has been one of the few surface finishers to persist with resolving or minimizing these problems for customers.
A Class has developed unique treatments for improving the success of chrome plating or restoration of die cast automotive parts. Whilst we are still continuously developing and perfecting these processes we have been achieving extraordinary and long lasting results using a variety of methods available to us depending on the nature and extent of the corrosion or the size and dimensions of the object. We believe we have the best methods for successfully restoring chrome plating on die-cast parts in Australia and are yet to hear of any solutions to this problem elsewhere in the world.
Please note that the above information is provided as a general guide, for the general information of the reader only, and should not be relied or acted upon as accurate technical advice.
