Gold Zinc Chromate: What It Is and How It Protects Your Metal Parts

[Metalcloak]

Blog post we thought you would find of interest...

Gold Zinc Chromate is a type of protective metal coating that helps steel and other metals resist corrosion, rust, and wear over time. It is commonly used in automotive, aerospace, and industrial applications where durability is essential. But what exactly is it, and how does it work? Let’s break it down in simple terms.

READ MORE: https://metalcloak.com/blog/what-is-gold-zinc

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[rharr]

I tried spray painting one of your track bars once to dial back the pop even after cleaning the bar with break clean, the paint didn't want to stay in place and had a tendency to fish eye and pool.

I ended up cleaning the paint off the track bar and leaving it gold.

Did the spray paint act poorly because of your gold coating? Is that one of the side effects of using the coating?

 

[Metalcloak]

No, actually the coating can act as a great primer, but you do need to use acetone or similar cleaner to prep it.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I do this for restoration of classic cars.
I plate in zinc - yellow zinc, black zinc and clear/blue zinc.
The color depends on the passivate used, but it's all zinc.
Zinc is active and will quickly go to a white zinc oxide. The passivate (commonly called chromate although there are multiple versions) makes the zinc's outer layer more "passive" and less likely to quickly oxidize.
Zinc plating is "self healing" in a way in that if it gets a scratch or gouge, the zinc will still tend to protect the steel below, being it's so active.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I would like to add, reinforce, actually, what they say in their blog -
Caring for Gold Zinc Chromate Coatings
To keep Gold Zinc parts looking great and lasting longer, follow these simple maintenance tips:

• Avoid Harsh Cleaners: Strong acids or alkaline cleaners can wear down the chromate layer. Use mild soap and water instead.
• Wipe Off Moisture & Salt: If you drive in wet or salty conditions, rinse your parts to prevent buildup.
• Apply a Light Protective Coating: A spray wax or light oil coating can help seal the surface and extend its lifespan.
• Minimize Scratching: If the coating gets scratched, it exposes the base metal. Be mindful when handling or installing parts.

I've seen harsh cleaners actually take the yellow away, which means it's already eating into that outer protective layer of the zinc plating.
Some SOAPS will do this!

Zinc platings after passivation are rated using the "salt spray test" - how many hours they can survive (more detailed than that, but that's the basics). In other words, yes, salt will eat into it, so if you drive the beach or salty roads, wash it off, but avoid harsh car wash chemicals.
I've found a coat of a wax or even Eastwood clear, does a decent job - it lets the color show while protecting it.

100% agree with their care "guide" above.

 

[Stan H]

Great looking stuff @ShadowsPapa ,I figure could coat most anything with that stuff huh?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Great looking stuff @ShadowsPapa ,I figure could coat most anything with that stuff huh?

If Metalcloak uses plating like this - which is more expensive than paint or powder coating or other processes, it could suggest they aren't cheaping out on the part finishes.

If you are concerned about appearances, it can always be plated again.
All of the parts you see that I did - were originally plated decades ago. The wiper motors are from the late 1960s, some of AMX reclining seat parts were from a 1970.
Some stuff sent to me really hasn't been all that bad - and it's had no care in many years.

Follow their suggestions, you won't have crusty Jeep parts, unless you prefer that look LOL

 

[Falcor]

We regularly send parts off to be zinc plated or hot dip galvanized at work. It depends on its intended use. If its intricate or has threads it gets plated. Since we make mostly railroad parts, the vast majority are hot dipped since it last way longer in the field. Gold zinc is pretty though.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

We regularly send parts off to be zinc plated or hot dip galvanized at work. It depends on its intended use. If its intricate or has threads it gets plated. Since we make mostly railroad parts, the vast majority are hot dipped since it last way longer in the field. Gold zinc is pretty though.

hot dipped is more of a crystalline deposit. Thicker, rougher, and tougher.
Plating is molecule by molecule and can be smooth as a baby's butt depending on the plating process, chemistry and amperage used per square inch.
You can buy galvanized bolts - but - basically farm and ranch use.

 

[Brucewillys]

Blog post we thought you would find of interest...

Gold Zinc Chromate is a type of protective metal coating that helps steel and other metals resist corrosion, rust, and wear over time. It is commonly used in automotive, aerospace, and industrial applications where durability is essential. But what exactly is it, and how does it work? Let’s break it down in simple terms.

READ MORE: https://metalcloak.com/blog/what-is-gold-zinc

I've always wondered, how does this "really" hold up in the Northeast. I'm a fan of your bushings and quite of few other things. You guys turned me off hard with your political views. But still I wondered. Then two weeks ago at old orchard Beach jeep fest I was able to truly inspect one of your lifts on a 2024 jeep wrangler. So the lift kit (mid arm) could not have been very old, two years max. Every piece had signs of corrosion, the worst was the brackets directly connected to the frame. Unfortunately looking at this gorgeous build with these disgusting looking parts was the last thing I needed to say "nope". Please post when you guys offer another topcoat, and I'll give you a try. It's just not for our salty roads.

 

[Metalcloak]

I've always wondered, how does this "really" hold up in the Northeast. I'm a fan of your bushings and quite of few other things. You guys turned me off hard with your political views. But still I wondered. Then two weeks ago at old orchard Beach jeep fest I was able to truly inspect one of your lifts on a 2024 jeep wrangler. So the lift kit (mid arm) could not have been very old, two years max. Every piece had signs of corrosion, the worst was the brackets directly connected to the frame. Unfortunately looking at this gorgeous build with these disgusting looking parts was the last thing I needed to say "nope". Please post when you guys offer another topcoat, and I'll give you a try. It's just not for our salty roads.

Totally understand.

Gold Zinc Chromate does not stop corrosion, it stops rust. Corrosion is destructive to its visible appeal, rust is destructive to its physical effectiveness. When the harsh chemicals of the winter roads or other salts and cleaners weaken the Gold Chromate protectant, the zinc is directly exposed and does its job by being sacrificial. Hence you get zinc oxide and zinc hydroxide chlorides that appear as powdery white corrosion.

As we recommend... in harsher environments a simple covering of Clear Coat not only brings out the gold more, it also keeps it gold longer. For those who don't like the gold color, it can be the best possible primer coat... if you scratch off a powdercoat or paint you expose the metal to rust, if you scratch off paint over a Gold Chromate part, you have zinc there to do its job... no rust.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Totally understand.

Gold Zinc Chromate does not stop corrosion, it stops rust. Corrosion is destructive to its visible appeal, rust is destructive to its physical effectiveness. When the harsh chemicals of the winter roads or other salts and cleaners weaken the Gold Chromate protectant, the zinc is directly exposed and does its job by being sacrificial. Hence you get zinc oxide and zinc hydroxide chlorides that appear as powdery white corrosion.

As we recommend... in harsher environments a simple covering of Clear Coat not only brings out the gold more, it also keeps it gold longer. For those who don't like the gold color, it can be the best possible primer coat... if you scratch off a powdercoat or paint you expose the metal to rust, if you scratch off paint over a Gold Chromate part, you have zinc there to do its job... no rust.

Nice that you guys know more than making parts.

People concerned about the white zinc oxide showing up after the yellow chromate/passive wears/weathers through can spray something like Eastwood clear on the parts now and then.

If they really trash them, and they do get past the sacrificial zinc, they can use Eastwood fake yellow chrome paint (a gold base paint, then green and red hues sprayed on that, then clear)

Steel rusts - because zinc is more active, it will go first, and when the chromate finish is gone, you get zinc oxide, the white spots and such.

Like the man said - scratch paint or powder, the steel will rust, there's nothing to stop it.
Scratch through the zinc - the zinc will go first around the scratch before the steel below rusts, giving time to touch things up.

 

[Stan H]

I've always wondered, how does this "really" hold up in the Northeast. I'm a fan of your bushings and quite of few other things. You guys turned me off hard with your political views. But still I wondered. Then two weeks ago at old orchard Beach jeep fest I was able to truly inspect one of your lifts on a 2024 jeep wrangler. So the lift kit (mid arm) could not have been very old, two years max. Every piece had signs of corrosion, the worst was the brackets directly connected to the frame. Unfortunately looking at this gorgeous build with these disgusting looking parts was the last thing I needed to say "nope". Please post when you guys offer another topcoat, and I'll give you a try. It's just not for our salty roads.

Well thats a 🦿in the that would put ya in for awhile

 

[Brucewillys]

Well thats a 🦿in the that would put ya in for awhile

Still not for me, very expensive for something I'd want to paint immediately to keep from looking like total crap in the first year. But I see the allure, just wish they had a powder coat option over the zinc.

 

[Metalcloak]

Still not for me, very expensive for something I'd want to paint immediately to keep from looking like total crap in the first year. But I see the allure, just wish they had a powder coat option over the zinc.

Just a note, if we were powder coating with the same high quality powder we use for our fenders, bumpers and rockers, the products would have a noticeably higher retail cost. Doing Gold Zinc Chromate costs less then our powder coating process and helps keep the cost of our parts at a reasonable market rate.

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