With the oldest GTV6 nearing 40 years in service, a forum to document projects and restoration seems sensible.
mikekath@iafrica.com
Silver
Silver
Posts: 30
Joined: Thu Jun 03, 2021 7:32 am

Re: South Africa - 1982 GTV6 2.5 Restoration (50/100)

Post by mikekath@iafrica.com »

ELECTROPLATING
Early on in the project, I made the decision to set myself up to do my own electroplating.
Bought a kit from Tshwane Plating (Dean Boniface).
This is a very time-consuming but satisfying process.
I struggled with getting it right at times, and had to redo some items.
The process:
The power supply (bought from DIY electronics in South Africa)
01.JPEG
01.JPEG (78.18 KiB) Viewed 2868 times
01a.JPG
01a.JPG (74.29 KiB) Viewed 2868 times
You then need a tank to put the plating liquid into (comes premixed in 5l containers from Tshwane Plating).
I would this from PlasticLand and it holds 15l comfortably, a reasonable size for most plating of smaller parts
The wiring I added to make it as easy as possible to setup and take apart.
02.JPEG
02.JPEG (75.97 KiB) Viewed 2868 times
03.JPG
03.JPG (90.08 KiB) Viewed 2868 times
Less, use BIG zinc annodes, the bigger the better for your tank. When I used smaller ones, plating larger parts was a problem.
04.JPEG
04.JPEG (82.72 KiB) Viewed 2868 times
mikekath@iafrica.com
Silver
Silver
Posts: 30
Joined: Thu Jun 03, 2021 7:32 am

Re: South Africa - 1982 GTV6 2.5 Restoration (50/100)

Post by mikekath@iafrica.com »

CLEANING THE PARTS
All the pars were taken down to their smallest components and then cleaned.
I have a sandblasting cabinet and for the most time have been using aluminium Oxide "powder" to do the cleaning. It lasts and can be re-used, and is non-toxic.
Here are some items before and after sandblasting.
06.JPG
06.JPG (95.63 KiB) Viewed 2868 times
07.JPEG
07.JPEG (96.46 KiB) Viewed 2868 times
08..JPEG
08..JPEG (98.63 KiB) Viewed 2868 times
09.JPEG
09.JPEG (93.32 KiB) Viewed 2868 times
10.JPG
10.JPG (99.54 KiB) Viewed 2868 times
mikekath@iafrica.com
Silver
Silver
Posts: 30
Joined: Thu Jun 03, 2021 7:32 am

Re: South Africa - 1982 GTV6 2.5 Restoration (50/100)

Post by mikekath@iafrica.com »

On sandblasting is complete, you have to tie EACH small piece onto copper wire, this will be used to suspend the items in the plating tank.
Next step is to dip in a pickling solution. I have been using diluted (5%) Hydrochloric acid. This chemically cleans the parts before plating.
Do not leave in for too loong as it can then blacken the metal and you have to clean it again!
11.JPG
11.JPG (47.16 KiB) Viewed 2867 times
Thereafter hang onto the copper strips on the tank.
You adjust amperage UP when doing larger parts. Smaller parts you can apply 2-3amps and keep in tank for 25-30 minutes.
12.JPEG
12.JPEG (52.45 KiB) Viewed 2867 times
When the pieces come out, they are ZINC plated and bright shiny silver. You could use them like that.
12a.JPG
12a.JPG (88.88 KiB) Viewed 2867 times
12b.JPG
12b.JPG (82.99 KiB) Viewed 2867 times
12c.JPG
12c.JPG (106.49 KiB) Viewed 2867 times
mikekath@iafrica.com
Silver
Silver
Posts: 30
Joined: Thu Jun 03, 2021 7:32 am

Re: South Africa - 1982 GTV6 2.5 Restoration (50/100)

Post by mikekath@iafrica.com »

Importantly, between each step, you must rinse the parts in CLEAN water very well!
After plating, I dip the items into a Yellow Passivate, which has a chemical reaction with the Zinc and creates an even more anti-corrosive finish that also has a translucent gold colour.
13.JPG
13.JPG (76.44 KiB) Viewed 2867 times
Some examples of finished items, I am sure you can figure out where they all go! :)
15.JPG
15.JPG (57.04 KiB) Viewed 2867 times
16.JPG
16.JPG (63.9 KiB) Viewed 2867 times
18.JPEG
18.JPEG (35.43 KiB) Viewed 2867 times
19.JPEG
19.JPEG (40.97 KiB) Viewed 2867 times
User avatar
MD
Verde
Verde
Posts: 2524
Joined: Mon Nov 22, 2004 2:37 am
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Contact:

Re: South Africa - 1982 GTV6 2.5 Restoration (50/100)

Post by MD »

Great job Mike.
I think the Greekster could do with his nuts being dipped and platted...lot of salt water around the Greek Islands causing all kinds of rust problems. :mrgreen:

Mind you, I don't think he would go quietly. Might need a few bods to hold him down for his own good.
Transaxle Alfas Haul More Arse
User avatar
Zamani
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 1752
Joined: Sun Nov 28, 2004 8:20 pm
Location: Cameroon

Re: South Africa - 1982 GTV6 2.5 Restoration (50/100)

Post by Zamani »

This build is awesome, I love parts coating. Need to learn how to do it properly, painting just won't do.

MD,

Well he does have the Midas touch. So anything he touches turns to gold, so by now, most of the vital parts are probably already coated in gold :mrgreen:
Dr. Alban
KevinR
Verde
Verde
Posts: 623
Joined: Sun Mar 20, 2016 2:46 pm

Re: South Africa - 1982 GTV6 2.5 Restoration (50/100)

Post by KevinR »

Wow Mke, totally fascinating the process of plating you do at home. (Yes I know it's same at factory on much larger scale😀) Most people struggle just to rebuild the car now now you are going into the process we just farm out. I always wonder why sometimes you can get black shaded areas when parts come back from platers even when I sent them in clean.
Are you going down the route of powder coating suspension parts (not necessary in SA climate) or painting in 2K ? Look forward to updates.
mikekath@iafrica.com
Silver
Silver
Posts: 30
Joined: Thu Jun 03, 2021 7:32 am

Re: South Africa - 1982 GTV6 2.5 Restoration (50/100)

Post by mikekath@iafrica.com »

Thanks Kevin :). It is fun but VERY time consuming!
On the suspension, I have done both options! Will share in time.
Front suspension has been done 2k gloss black and rear was powdercoated gloss black. Early indications are that the powder coating is better, but hey, a nice trial to see which looks and lasts better!!
KevinR
Verde
Verde
Posts: 623
Joined: Sun Mar 20, 2016 2:46 pm

Re: South Africa - 1982 GTV6 2.5 Restoration (50/100)

Post by KevinR »

Powder coating is always better in the harsher UK environments with all the salts on the roads . Only reason why I say this is the hardness (impact resistance) is better thus less chance of sharp siones chipping the coating away to the raw metal . However the preparation involved for powder coating is far more . You don’t want the bearing surfaces or tapered joints filled with powder coating . Not paint for that matter either but a lot easier to remove over spray. You’re in Africa so not really an issue . Only salt you gonna get us from your hands while you’re eating biltong and assembling :)
I have also found on my one car that I painted the wishbones with 2k that a salt “blob” did make its way through ! I have seen quite a lot of cars that were restored by Alex Jupe who’s suspension was powdercoated and have been used as daily drivers through out the winters and they have properly held up. Like 8-10 years out there !
The dedion gets chipped the most . Look forward to your updates .
User avatar
Alfaaa1
Gold
Gold
Posts: 121
Joined: Tue Feb 02, 2016 10:36 am
Location: Melbourne , Australia

Re: South Africa - 1982 GTV6 2.5 Restoration (50/100)

Post by Alfaaa1 »

Hi ,
I used K.B.S rust seal on my suspension wishbones .
This product is hards to chip and salt cannot get through.
My whole car is rust sealed top and underneath.
Attachments
Screen Shot 2021-11-09 at 7.23.14 am.png
Screen Shot 2021-11-09 at 7.23.14 am.png (38.94 KiB) Viewed 2797 times
Screen Shot 2021-11-09 at 7.22.36 am.png
Screen Shot 2021-11-09 at 7.22.36 am.png (251.37 KiB) Viewed 2797 times
User avatar
Alfaaa1
Gold
Gold
Posts: 121
Joined: Tue Feb 02, 2016 10:36 am
Location: Melbourne , Australia

Re: South Africa - 1982 GTV6 2.5 Restoration (50/100)

Post by Alfaaa1 »

User avatar
Michael
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 515
Joined: Sun Nov 21, 2004 12:00 pm
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Contact:

Re: South Africa - 1982 GTV6 2.5 Restoration (50/100)

Post by Michael »

Nice work so far, looking forward to seeing progress :-)
Michael
1981 GTV6
David
Gold
Gold
Posts: 160
Joined: Sun Dec 05, 2004 2:22 am
Location: Dayboro QLD Australia

Re: South Africa - 1982 GTV6 2.5 Restoration (50/100)

Post by David »

Another method for rust prevention I have had success with.
Get parts back to bare metal, sand blast, sand, paint strip, etc. Clean (acid), wash, dry and coat with spray on Black Galvanising paint. It gives a mat/semi gloss finish that won't chip. No undercoat or primers required. Eventually "bonds" to steel surfaces. On torsion bars, springs, etc it flexes and won't crack. If areas are ground/scratched through it's easy to touch up, again, "bonding" with the previous coat and any exposed steel. Don't use rust converters as they prevent the steel/galv process.
Cheap to buy in spray pack cans and also in silver. I also use it on all re-used bolts, washers, nuts, etc.

David
1985 GTV6 3.0 Zender Body Kit - Red
mikekath@iafrica.com
Silver
Silver
Posts: 30
Joined: Thu Jun 03, 2021 7:32 am

Re: South Africa - 1982 GTV6 2.5 Restoration (50/100)

Post by mikekath@iafrica.com »

STRIPPING OF CHASSIS
I elected to strip the chassis at home, to make sure that a thorough job was done and all issues on the car identified. I researched different options and finally elected to give Hydroblasting a try. This is using high pressure water with glass beads. I was advised not to try dry blasting as it build up lots of heat and can warp the panels.

The Glass beads used
01.JPG
01.JPG (201.6 KiB) Viewed 2752 times
The Karcher blasting attachment, used together with my Karcher high pressure cleaner
02.jpg
02.jpg (76.74 KiB) Viewed 2752 times
Stripping process starts - fortunate enough to buy a Car Rotisserie, this makes life so much easier to move the car around and to get to awkward places
03.JPG
03.JPG (131.94 KiB) Viewed 2752 times
Converted my car port into a blasting shed
04..JPG
04..JPG (175.92 KiB) Viewed 2752 times
Engine bay BEFORE
06.JPG
06.JPG (251.52 KiB) Viewed 2752 times
mikekath@iafrica.com
Silver
Silver
Posts: 30
Joined: Thu Jun 03, 2021 7:32 am

Re: South Africa - 1982 GTV6 2.5 Restoration (50/100)

Post by mikekath@iafrica.com »

Stripping process continues
The process had to be repeated many times and the biggest frustration was the glass beads needed to dry before I could use them again for the next cycle - so this took many weeks.
07.JPG
07.JPG (232.3 KiB) Viewed 2752 times
09.JPG
09.JPG (240.46 KiB) Viewed 2752 times
10.JPG
10.JPG (198.01 KiB) Viewed 2752 times
08.JPG
08.JPG (237.4 KiB) Viewed 2752 times
Post Reply