Another Hardware question

[Dennis H.]

Hi guys

I have my 65 chassis broke down and now will start the tedious task of separating into piles what will get plated Clear Zinc or Black Zinc (going off info from brakeboosters.com)using eyes and the Corvette Chassis Restoration Guide.

The guide shows on page 105 that the Upper A-Arms are connected to the frame using plated ridged shaft bolts. Now this book only gives 2 types of finish, Plated (I read as Zinc) and Black (I read as Black Phosphate) and I know for a fact I pulled original black bolts out of the frame. What does plated in this book mean?

I understand this book is just a guide but I'm trying to get this right the first time. I have about 95% or better of the original hardware that is in very good condition and am going to extremely anal measures(for me anyway) to re-use all the hardware.

Any additional advice as I head down this road?

[John D.]

Re: Another Hardware question

Dennis, Here is how we were taught at a Pittsburgh chapter seminar. Take your assembly manual and mark the bolts down as far as sizes and finishes on the proper page for what you are working on. Then you can put the bolts in large bags according to finish and send them off to the platers. When they come back they will be easy to sort out because you did your homework. Course you will have to figure out the proper plating first. John

[Dennis H.]

Re: Another Hardware question

Thanks John

I got everything bagged now as I took it off and will take pictures and notes as I unbag and sort into piles. I think between the natural eye and all my books I should get this right in regards to finish.

My hardware prep will be:

1. Solvent Wash
2. Vibratory Tumbler using Green Pyramid Rust Cutting Media
3. Vibratory Tumbler using Dry Shine Media
4. Ship to Plater

I decided to go the Vibratory Tumbler route so I could just turn it on and move on to something else. Spending hours bent over a blast cabinet or wire wheel did not appeal to me this time around. Been there done that.

I will post some pictures of this Vibratory Tumbler process as it moves forward. This is a first for me and I'm lookin forward to seeing the results.

Dennis

[John D.]

Re: Another Hardware question

Dennis, A downfall to using thisi tumbler is not it removed the natural grain and some of the detail from the steel items for sure. I believe just using chemicals to strip the parts would keep the items more original. Talk to your plater about this. John

[Alan Drake]

Re: Another Hardware question

If you have concerns about detail removal, try RidRust first! It will only take the rust, however I have found that is sometimes removes the black phos. I use a crock pot to keep heat around 90, it works faster, still hours.

Remove parts every few hours and brush off the rust. The less rust remaining in the solution or on the part the better and longer the stuff works. For larger parts use another method.