70 C3 suspension fastener finsihes

[Greg L.]

Re: 70 C3 suspension fastener finsihes

Expert?...geee thanks! Nah Chuck to be honest I'm still an apprentice

Seriously though, I have to give credit to those on this forum that have helped me with my plating problems as well a particular individual on the Caswell forum. If it wasn't for the help from these guys I'd still be spraying my hardware silver, grey, or black!

Travis, I know the kits seem expensive and I hummed and hawed for quite some time before I bit the bullet but I have no regrets. You don't really appreciate the ability to plate your own parts until you NEED only one particular piece done! It's still easier and if you factor in your time cheaper to send the parts out to a commercial plater, however if you want quality results you should still prep them yourself even if you do send them out. The main benefit of doing it yourself is convienience and piece of mind that something won't get lost. Convienience can't be stressed enough because as Chuck says you will always miss something. Commercial platers also will not plate assemblies such as fuel pumps and vacuum relays so the only way to do this is to do it yourself.

As far as the black/grey parts they are cheaper and easier to do but once you get hooked on them you'll probably want to do cad/zinc as well! I can't comment on the Eastwood blackening kit because I bought my solutions from Grant Wong and was more than happy with them. I have heard though that the Eastwood zinc plating kit is not near as good as the Caswell one so if you choose to plate zinc in the future go with the Caswell one and make sure you have a large enough power supply for what you intend to plate!!!

[Greg L.]

Re: 70 C3 suspension fastener finsihes

Expert?...geee thanks! Nah Chuck to be honest I'm still an apprentice

Seriously though, I have to give credit to those on this forum that have helped me with my plating problems as well a particular individual on the Caswell forum. If it wasn't for the help from these guys I'd still be spraying my hardware silver, grey, or black!

Travis, I know the kits seem expensive and I hummed and hawed for quite some time before I bit the bullet but I have no regrets. You don't really appreciate the ability to plate your own parts until you NEED only one particular piece done! It's still easier and if you factor in your time cheaper to send the parts out to a commercial plater, however if you want quality results you should still prep them yourself even if you do send them out. The main benefit of doing it yourself is convienience and piece of mind that something won't get lost. Convienience can't be stressed enough because as Chuck says you will always miss something. Commercial platers also will not plate assemblies such as fuel pumps and vacuum relays so the only way to do this is to do it yourself.

As far as the black/grey parts they are cheaper and easier to do but once you get hooked on them you'll probably want to do cad/zinc as well! I can't comment on the Eastwood blackening kit because I bought my solutions from Grant Wong and was more than happy with them. I have heard though that the Eastwood zinc plating kit is not near as good as the Caswell one so if you choose to plate zinc in the future go with the Caswell one and make sure you have a large enough power supply for what you intend to plate!!!

[Donald T.]

Re: 70 C3 suspension fastener finsihes

I have used the Caswell black oxide kit and the parts came out very nice. I just got some phosphate solution from Grant, but haven't had a chance to try it yet.

Here are some pics of hardware using the Caswell black oxide kit.

[Donald T.]

Re: 70 C3 suspension fastener finsihes

I have used the Caswell black oxide kit and the parts came out very nice. I just got some phosphate solution from Grant, but haven't had a chance to try it yet.

Here are some pics of hardware using the Caswell black oxide kit.

[Travis Williamson]

Re: 70 C3 suspension fastener finsihes

Hey Guys,

WOW! Thanks for the info. Although like most other DYIers Im on a limited budget but I dont mind spending money if I know Im going to get the correct results. Which is why Im glad I posted this because you guys have given me some great info.

To start with, Im going to purchase the black oxide kit from Caswell. Maybe the zinc plating system later since at the moment I only have a few things that need it.

I know the black phosphate and black oxide finishes are different but can one tell by looking at them? I didnt have the luxury to compare the two since the rust fairy paid a visit before I was able to set my eyes on them.

Again I really appreciate the info. Thanks for the link too! They even have a special running at the moment!

Travis

[Travis Williamson]

Re: 70 C3 suspension fastener finsihes

Hey Guys,

WOW! Thanks for the info. Although like most other DYIers Im on a limited budget but I dont mind spending money if I know Im going to get the correct results. Which is why Im glad I posted this because you guys have given me some great info.

To start with, Im going to purchase the black oxide kit from Caswell. Maybe the zinc plating system later since at the moment I only have a few things that need it.

I know the black phosphate and black oxide finishes are different but can one tell by looking at them? I didnt have the luxury to compare the two since the rust fairy paid a visit before I was able to set my eyes on them.

Again I really appreciate the info. Thanks for the link too! They even have a special running at the moment!

Travis

[Chuck S.]

Re: 70 C3 suspension fastener finsihes

Indentifying black oxide and black phosphate is easy if the finishes are still in pretty good condition, and the parts can be examined in bright sunlight.

Black phosphate forms crystals in the finish, and those crystals reflect light like tiny facets. Typically, black phosphate will be a flat finish with little shine even when properly oiled. Unfortunately, as black phosphate parts oxidize, an accurate finish determination can become very difficult; clean your parts first in solvent, and then examine them for finish. Once the fasteners are wire-brushed, it's nearly impossible to tell if the finish is oxidized black phosphate or oxidized black oxide.

Black oxide is slick, smooth finish that will have a slight satin shine to it. Don's parts are a good representation of black oxide and look really nice...Unfortunately, a truly anal restorer/judge might argue that the finish on the clutch rods should be a dark gray or black phosphate. I doubt that he will see any deducts in judging.

My advice would be to go easy on the black oxide; IMO, black oxide is a lot less prevalent on chassis fasteners and parts than black phosphate, and is typically the finish on high strength fasteners like those on the engine and driveline components.

[Chuck S.]

Re: 70 C3 suspension fastener finsihes

Indentifying black oxide and black phosphate is easy if the finishes are still in pretty good condition, and the parts can be examined in bright sunlight.

Black phosphate forms crystals in the finish, and those crystals reflect light like tiny facets. Typically, black phosphate will be a flat finish with little shine even when properly oiled. Unfortunately, as black phosphate parts oxidize, an accurate finish determination can become very difficult; clean your parts first in solvent, and then examine them for finish. Once the fasteners are wire-brushed, it's nearly impossible to tell if the finish is oxidized black phosphate or oxidized black oxide.

Black oxide is slick, smooth finish that will have a slight satin shine to it. Don's parts are a good representation of black oxide and look really nice...Unfortunately, a truly anal restorer/judge might argue that the finish on the clutch rods should be a dark gray or black phosphate. I doubt that he will see any deducts in judging.

My advice would be to go easy on the black oxide; IMO, black oxide is a lot less prevalent on chassis fasteners and parts than black phosphate, and is typically the finish on high strength fasteners like those on the engine and driveline components.

[Donald T.]

Re: 70 C3 suspension fastener finsihes

Chuck is correct. Most or all of the parts in my pic really should be black phosphate and not black oxide. I didn't have anything to do black phosphate at the time, so this was the best alternative. Now that I have "the good stuff" from Grant, I plan to redo the parts in the proper black phosphate. Unfortunately, all of the parts have already been installed on the car, but I guess that's why they call it a hobby.

[Donald T.]

Re: 70 C3 suspension fastener finsihes

Chuck is correct. Most or all of the parts in my pic really should be black phosphate and not black oxide. I didn't have anything to do black phosphate at the time, so this was the best alternative. Now that I have "the good stuff" from Grant, I plan to redo the parts in the proper black phosphate. Unfortunately, all of the parts have already been installed on the car, but I guess that's why they call it a hobby.