Lancia Beta Forum

I popped into my local zinc platers earlier today with a few bits for yellow zinc passivation and was told that the process is now effectively outlawed unless you're the MoD. Apparently one of the chemicals used in the process has been classified as hazardous and it's a vital part of the process (chromate was mentioned).

I wouldn't imagine this would only apply to my platers - I guess it's an industry-wide thing. It's really annoying, as yellow passivate was the best for corrosion resistance outide of galvanising or electroless nickel. All the good stuff is being outlawed...

Hi Graham,

Shocking and I wonder if it is true. My friends at Chingford Plating have been providing this for me for years so if I get a moment I will ask.

Eric

Hope not! Just dropped the last of my stuff off for plating today! At least I hope it's the last of it!

hello
Yellow zinc is definately still available.  If you look around you can still find platers who will do the traditional (hexavalent chrome, a nasty susbtance) yellow passiavtion as well as more 'modern' environment friendly yellow zinc.  Some 70s stuff was cadmium plated which looks similar but I think you'd struggle to find anyone offering that these days.

I was at 'my' platers today, and they said the instruction to cease and desist was given at very short notice. Another plater I spoke to said they had been told to stop offering yellow passivate as well. It may be a regional thing, but I suspect that it will be country-wide before too long. I hope not, obviously.