whittek clamps

[Dale S.]

The AIR tower clamps that I have are date 2/67 (April 1st). My car has a built date of march 30th. I need to clean these clamps as they have a heavy layer of gray oxide. Has anyone done this before, I need advise on how to clean them. Soap and water does not help. there is no rust on them. Is glass beading an option? Thank you Dale P.S. My owners manual is a second addition (April 1st) with a March 30 built date.

[mike mccagh]

Re: whittek clamps

i glass beaded mine then sent the to the cad plater. mike

[Terry M.]

Re: whittek clamps

Dale,
Just an FYI: those clamps are dated by quarters of the year. Thus your clamps could have been produced anytime from April 1 to June 30.

[Dale S.]

Re: whittek clamps

Terry, I saw that. They are off by one day. I am not being a smart a_ _ here, just wondering. Do we know that there were no second Quarter clamps installed before March 30th? My owners manual,second publishing(1st April 67?)in a car built March 30th. Anyone have a March 30th car to compare? Thank you for all the help. I am learning a lot. Dale PS Reading this over it appears I am being facetious, I am not. D/

[Alan Drake]

Re: whittek clamps

If you are going to blast them - then and only then try this first;
Use a mild acid base cleaner. I've used one that contains 9.5% hydrogen chloride acid. Don't let it soak to long. Had great luck cleaning and not removal of finish. Since your blasting will clearly remove finish the acid cleaning can't do any worst harm.

[Dale S.]

Re: whittek clamps

Alan, that is a great idea. using that idea I was thinking of a diluted solution of muratic acid as I have it here for the pool. Dale

[Dale S.]

Re: whittek clamps

Mike, Did you have to take them apart to have them cad plated? dale

[Patrick H.]

Re: whittek clamps

Or, that's the type of part I'd put in my tumbler with some crushed walnut shells, and I'd bet it would turn out looking brand new.

Patrick

[Terry M.]

Re: whittek clamps

Dale,
Almost all of my experience is with C3s, so I am reluctant to comment relative to your specific question. I have no idea what the thinking is on this subject among 1967 enthusiasts, nor do I know how much "wiggle" there is in a March 30 build date. I suspect that "wiggle" would depend on whether the body was built in St. Louis or in Ionia -- but even if I knew the answer to that question, I would not be able to take the next step. I hope others reading this would however.
I can tell you that the clamps were produced in Chicago, and it is my belief that the dates were put on them there. Add to that the time it would take to package and ship them to St. Louis, and then for them to get stocked and installed on a car.

[Gerard F.]

Re: whittek clamps

Dale,

You could also try a Blue Nylok Wheel on a drill in a vise. Here's my setup:


If there is any zinc left on them, the wheel will bring them to a bright finish.

If you use muriatic acid make if very dilute, I use 3 to 1 to remove zinc plating. You could also use Jasco Metal etch which is phosphoric acid, again very dilute for cleaning.

If there is no zinc left, I think I know where you can get the clamps replated.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Gary #41345]

Re: whittek clamps

Jerry...I saw that setup for sale in a local Sears store they were asking big money for it. innovative though