Base Electroplating

[Lummox]

Hey all,
Wondering what the metalurgic make-up of the electroplating that was used when in the early '60s, Lesney made use of their bases as shiny details like bumpers and grills in place of masked silver paint as seen on earlier castings.

Thanks!
Dave

[Idris]

I know that the hobby always refers to the shiny baseplates as being plated, byt I do wonder whether they have actually been electropolished instead. This idea is supported by the fact that I have never seen anything flaking off a baseplate, no matter how battered or corroded it is.

[Lummox]

Thanks for the idea and the linc.

From what I've read, I wonder if the system was highly developed enough in the '60s to electropolish bases without removing details (lettering).
I read electropolishing is used to de-burr and smooth out parts.

Also, if it was electroplating that was employed, as we've all seen, it's such a very thin layer that perhaps it wore off much easier than it could flake.

I have '60s 1:1 cars that even the full chrome process used can wear off, and has to rust from behind to flake off.

This info must be lurking around somewhere in the tightly knit English collector community!

[Lummox]

Howdy Idris,
As far as your comment about flaking, if you take a loop, or can see very well up close, I've noticed very tiny flakes on certain bases that have succumbed to corrosion.

Maybe more so on later '60s SF's with thicker/shinier plating.

You have to look very close, and may have to search through several casting, but you should find some minuscule flaking.

Dave