A method of simultaneously preparing and plating two parts attached together in an assembly, which parts are of different materials, such as steel and aluminum, and are incompatible with one another in the plating preparation process. The method includes the steps, in the following order, of (a) degreasing such an assembly with trichloroethylene vapors for a period of 3 to 5 minutes, (b) clean with a heated alkaline cleaner for a period of 15 seconds, then rinse with water, (c) clean with muriatic acid for a period of 5 seconds, then rinse with water, (d) repeat steps (b) and (c) once again, (e) dip assembly in zincate solution for a period of 2 minutes, then rinse with water, and (f) plate the exposed surfaces of the assembly. The method also includes the steps of first cleaning the parts separately, attaching the parts together, and machining the assembly before initiating the above steps. An article constructed in accordance with the above is also disclosed.