Hi Brian - There's an outfit here in Los Angeles called Apex Galvanizing that did the work for me. Back in the old days(thirty years ago) there were quite a few places here that did this sort of thing, but with all the outsourcing of manufacturing that's gone on since then, Apex is just about the last one still operating. There are still a lot of places that will do zinc electroplating, but electroplating lays down a much thinner layer of material. Too thin in fact for this sort of application.
As far as painting the drum cover on the electric version goes, I think you're absolutely right. John's method of painting is likely the best bet. But on the gas versions, the end cover and mixing chamber exist in what can only be described as a hostile environment. Especially if the felt drum seal or the rubber door gasket should begin to deteriorate, which seriously reduces the volume of airflow through the combustion cone, the mixing chamber and the drum cover, while simultaneously raising the temperatures they're subjected to. So I figured to do it correctly, I had to go with hot dip galvanizing.
And Ken - Thanks for the compliment, though I must confess, as I blunder my way through life I seldom (if ever) feel very brilliant. But I appreciate the sentiment.
Here the parts have been placed on a cart and are being taken away to be stripped of old zinc and any corrosion.
[this post was last edited: 4/13/2013-14:26]
