Brass brake line blocks

[Daniel H.]

How do you restore a brass brake junction block surface finish? Bead blast, wire wheel, polish, dipping them into a chemical or is it best to replace? Once restored how do you keep it from tarnishing again?

Thanks,
Danny

[Tony S.]

Re: Brass brake line blocks

install bolts to fill the holes, lightly bead blast, take it over to the bench grinder and use a fine brass brush wire wheel. You're good to go!

[Larry M.]

Re: Brass brake line blocks

After cleaning and brushing etc, coat with a small amount of satin clear spray paint. Eastwood sells a decent one, but there are many out there to choose from.

Larry

[Gene M.]

Re: Brass brake line blocks

After cleaning and brushing etc, coat with a small amount of satin clear spray paint. Eastwood sells a decent one, but there are many out there to choose from.

Larry

Why clear it? Brass don't rust......
GM installed them as is.
I would assume you would want the brass to age so it looks "real".

[Larry M.]

Re: Brass brake line blocks

Why clear it? Brass don't rust......
GM installed them as is.
I would assume you would want the brass to age so it looks "real".

OP requested something to prevent tarnishing/aging after item was cleaned. I provided one idea..........you countered with a second opinion. OP can evaluate and then do as he sees fit.

Many brass items have been cleared with clear lacquer or similar protective coating in the past to reduce tarnishing and aging. Musical instruments are one example.......furniture is another. Personally I would not do anything to the brass after cleaning for my own car.

Just trying to be helpful.

Larry

[Daniel H.]

Re: Brass brake line blocks

Thanks guys

[Joe L.]

Re: Brass brake line blocks

How do you restore a brass brake junction block surface finish? Bead blast, wire wheel, polish, dipping them into a chemical or is it best to replace? Once restored how do you keep it from tarnishing again?

Thanks,
Danny

Danny------


It depends. If you want them to appear as-new, as they came from the factory, then clean them up as has been suggested.

Now, the question becomes how long do you want them to remain that way? If the answer is indefinitely, then apply a light coat of satin clear as has also been suggested. If the answer is you don't care if they tarnish again, then don't apply anything to seal them. Then, before too long they'll appear just like they did before you cleaned them up. Well, if that's the case, why not just leave them the way they are now and don't bother to clean them up, at all? That's a very good question with a simple answer.

[Richard M.]

Re: Brass brake line blocks

Just food for thought on the use of used brass brake blocks....

In my experiences, used original blocks can be troublesome in their functionality and ability to seal properly. Over years of use, the internal "olive", the machined inverted flare seal point becomes comfortable with it's mating flared hard brake line pipe flare and fitting nut. The brass olive will change shape and distort as the brass is very soft. If this internal seal is distorted, it may leak when reinstalled using new hard lines. Use of DOT 5 silicone fluid may exacerbate the problem.

In all of my chassis restorations, I always use NEW brass blocks. That also goes for rubber hoses. I would never ever think of using NOS hoses. Brakes are an area that I always prefer "new" plumbing.

Rich

[Daniel H.]

Re: Brass brake line blocks

Thanks Rich!

[Gene M.]

Re: Brass brake line blocks

If judged NCRS any added finish not as original under the CDCIF guide lines would be a 20% deduct. I think the goal would be to appear original not concourse.

True, posters question was answered but he needs to understand it is not correct. Other good points were made that are more important than the finish IMHO.

[Joe R.]

Re: Brass brake line blocks

Gene, I agree with you as NCRS judged cars are using "As delivered to the Customer" for the criteria of factory original finish! Clear coat is not even close to the original finish.
This is not concours judging! IF you want a Corvette like that go to the NCCC or World of Wheels!

JR

[Joe L.]

Re: Brass brake line blocks

Gene, I agree with you as NCRS judged cars are using "As delivered to the Customer" for the criteria of factory original finish! Clear coat is not even close to the original finish.
This is not concours judging! IF you want a Corvette like that go to the NCCC or World of Wheels!

JR

JR------


A light coating of satin finish clear coat is virtually undetectable and will preserve the original finish of the brass.

I would think that a tarnished brass block would suffer a condition deduction since the finish appearance of a well-tarnished brass block is NOTHING like the appearance of the brass block as originally installed at St. Louis.

[Joe L.]

Re: Brass brake line blocks

Just food for thought on the use of used brass brake blocks....

In my experiences, used original blocks can be troublesome in their functionality and ability to seal properly. Over years of use, the internal "olive", the machined inverted flare seal point becomes comfortable with it's mating flared hard brake line pipe flare and fitting nut. The brass olive will change shape and distort as the brass is very soft. If this internal seal is distorted, it may leak when reinstalled using new hard lines. Use of DOT 5 silicone fluid may exacerbate the problem.

In all of my chassis restorations, I always use NEW brass blocks. That also goes for rubber hoses. I would never ever think of using NOS hoses. Brakes are an area that I always prefer "new" plumbing.

Rich

Rich------


I agree and for exactly the reasons you stated.

I also agree that for brake system stuff, NEW is the way to go, even if nuances of originality are foregone. I have NOS rubber brake lines in my collection [none for sale] but I'd NEVER, EVER use them on my cars.

[Joe R.]

Re: Brass brake line blocks

Joe,

You should post this on the NCCC board!

They would love it!

JR

[Bob J.]

Re: Brass brake line blocks

Joe,

You should post this on the NCCC board!

They would love it!

JR

True, reading many of the posts on this board I don't see much difference.