The subject invention includes a plating apparatus (10) having an electrically conductive rack (12) and a frame assembly (14). The frame assembly (14) includes a rod (24) and series of support structures (26). A number of removable (34) and fixed (32) bars are attached to the support structures (26) such that a strand of interconnected workpieces (18) are wrapped over the bars (32, 34) to define a revolution of the interconnected workpieces (18). The plating apparatus (10) and frame assembly (14) are characterized by a series of spacers (38) mounted along the removable bars (34) for separating adjacent revolutions of the interconnected workpieces (18) such that the workpieces (18) can be effectively coated with the material. The subject invention also includes a method of coating the strand of workpieces (18) comprising the steps of; mounting a first end of the strand to the removable bars (34); wrapping the strand over the bars (32, 34) while simultaneously wrapping the strand between adjacent spacers (38) to separate adjacent revolutions of the strand; mounting a second end of the strand to an opposite end of the removable bars (34); and coating the frame assembly (14) and strand of workpieces (18) with the material.