Is there any way to effectively refinish tin master cylinders , I'll be rekitting the sports850's ones soon and would like to give them a tidy up as well as they're showing their age .

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I'm looking into DIY electroplating, There are kits around but for the price you pay you may as well buy new ones, However my digging into the matter has my chemistry/pharmacy background aroused and it is 'doable' without the huge outlay. Keep you posted

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

Thank's Wombat

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I've got my tin tanks M/C's in a large pile with the rest of my stuff to be plated. I'll rebuild them with a couple of spares (2) once that is done.

Mind you, I got a brand new in box one on UK ebay for much less than half price the other week. Looks noooooice.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

I'd be really interested in how you get on with the replating. I have the early nut-top masters on the Traveller. They're so rare that even the metal caps for them sell for what normal M/Cs go for.



They're going to need some replating to get them up to scratch.

Tim

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1951 Morris Commercial J Type Van
1955 BSA C11G
1961 Morris Mini Traveller
1969 Triumph TR6R
1977 Leyland Moke Californian

Mine are in about the same condition but are the originals and since it is almost 45 years old I guess they are allowed to look a little ratty . Be nice to be able to dress them up a bit again though .

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Information is starting to trickle in on DIY plateing. Found a forum and website that is very helpful and have ordered a recommended book on the subject . Have the power supply and now just chasing up the source of supply of the consumables ( without the mumbo jumbo some DIY places are going on with )

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

I've had success with cleaning them up with the wire brush, then spraying them with clear laquer, keeps them looking original, but clean...

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

I thought about the home plating process for my gear as well, I have a SCR power supply here that will put out 0-30 DC volts and up to 25 amps.

But then I looked at my little fellow and decided I couldn't afford to have the chamicals laying around (Acids, plating solutions and the resultant spillages). Also there was the fumes to think of which means it cannot really be locked away in a nice and safe (but enclosed) shed or garage.

However Sports, if you would like to post pack them down this way (and aren't desperately keen to get them back), I will add them to my pile. I already have three in there to be done with the rest.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Dave,



I found this site that seems to have the gear. Have been thinking about a kit to do bolts and smaller bits & pieces.

http://www.janekits.com.au/mainframe.php

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Dave K.
1979 Moke Californian + 1981 'Coke' Moke

Thanks for that - prices are comparable to another site BUT his are 4L and the other is 12L His electrodes are cheaper but

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

Mick where else can one get a nice DC power supply that can put out some reasonable amps, I'm wanting one for some de rusting info was discussed here: http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=34941&highlight=

I've heard that you can use photocopier power supplies, any other ideas??

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I bought an earlier version of this off eBay about 12 months ago - works well http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Bench-top-30V-5A-DC-power-supply-electronics-lab-motor_W0QQitemZ320155231834QQihZ011QQcategoryZ78859QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

Computer power supplies are a great source of very cheap and very dependable current. It's because they are made in such numbers that you can get high output power supplies neatly packaged in a ready to use box and supplying 5, 3.3 and + or - 12Vdc. They make perfect battery chargers for the garage as they put out plenty of amps. (Usually around 15 amps available on the +12 volt rail...sound useful?)

Best bit is that a 300 watt switched mode power supply can be had from a little corner computer shop for around 20 to 30 dollars. Pay any more than that and you being ripped off. You can also get 400 ($30) or 500 watt units ($??) for a few pesos more if you need more juice.

The output wires are neatly colour coded and usually have a label showing which is the 12 volt, 5 volt wires etc. I would never buy a battery charger from supercrap again, those expensive little pieces of crap usually only supply less than a couple of amps cold.

If 12 volts is what you are after, then this is what you need to buy.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Only problem is it is 12 volts - regulated no more - to charge a automotive battery fully you need 13.8 volts . OK you can argue that you'll get enough to start the car. but if you want to recondition the battery and prevent a lower memory developing you need to take it to full ie 13.8

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!