Don,
It is typically preferable to remove any metal parts that one doesn't want
chrome plated. There are several potential problems. Depending on which
cleaning and pickling (acid dip) methods the plater has available there
could be damage to the lamp fixture since it is probably made of copper.
Another consideration is the contact resistance of chrome plate. It is
probably much greater than copper but may not cause a problem. I don't know
what potential long term connection problems (galvanic corrosion) there
could be with whatever metal your bulbs are finished with. They are
presumably designed to mate with a copper fixture, however, for all I know
your TR250 lamp fixture may not be made of copper or could be plated with
any of a variety of metals. Also, there very well could be a perishable
insulator between your housing and lamp fixture that would not make it
through all of the nasty chemical baths. Hopefully your plater is local and
you can just show him what you have. He may be able to use a liquid maskant
in order to protect whatever portion of your part needs protection.
Gary
'73
----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Malling" <dmallin@attglobal.net>
To: "6-Pack" <6pack@autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, December 30, 2002 11:06 AM
Subject: TR250 taillight housing rechrome -- light sockets
> I have an extra set of TR250 (maybe TR4?) tail light housings and front
> side light housings that I am going to have rechromed for my TR250.
>
> I had assumed that I could get new bulb housings, but they do not appear
> to be available. Only the spring and contacts fiber board seem to be
> available.
>
> I have removed the light bulb spring and the bulb contacts. Can I leave
> the bulb socket housings in place when they are rechromed? Dumb
> question, but will there be a good ground after the bulb socket is
> chromed?
>
> Also on the tail light housing, the female threads for one of the lense
> retaining screws is completely stripped. I guess these are "pot metal"
> and not easily welded? Is there some way to plug and retap the hole, or
> is the entire housing garbage?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Don Malling
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