Jack Restoration

[Martin N.]

What has everyone out there been doing to restore their jacks? Mine's in good and working shape other than rust on the base (Bottom & Top) and a couple of spots on the scissor arms. I'm affraid of acid dipping and I'm not sure about sandblasting it. Any advice from someone that's "been there / done that". THANKS for any input.

Marty

[Alan S.]

Re: Jack Restoration

Hi Martin,
I stripped as much of my jack as I could myself, but then ended up having it media blasted. I painted it with Krylon semi-gloss black. I let it get a few runs as though it had been hung up to dip in paint which matched the original finish. Judges seem to be most interested in the date and the configuration.
Regards,
Alan

[Martin N.]

Re: Jack Restoration

ALAN-

The date code is good for my 74 "C4" and it has the letter "A" on the lift plate, the rubber insulator is there on the lug wrench / handle so I'm good to go. Thanks for the tip on trying to duplicate the "dipped paint" look, I'll keep that in mind when I start restoration.

Marty

[Grant W.]

Re: Jack Restoration

Hi Marty
You can sand blast it in a cabinet. Make sure you use masking tape and tape off the threads on the long bolt and I think it has the large bearing washer at the jack end. This is natural steel. Then paint with Krylon as suggested or use Semi gloss rustoleum.
Good luck. Grant
quote=Martin Novak (47651);358842]What has everyone out there been doing to restore their jacks? Mine's in good and working shape other than rust on the base (Bottom & Top) and a couple of spots on the scissor arms. I'm affraid of acid dipping and I'm not sure about sandblasting it. Any advice from someone that's "been there / done that". THANKS for any input.

Marty[/quote]

[Gerard F.]

Re: Jack Restoration

Marty,

Don't sandblast it, it ruins the surface finish. Beadblasting is OK but just stripping what paint you can with steel wool and lacquer thinner, and fine wire wheel brushing the rust spots will also do fine. Mask up the areas that are not painted, hang it up and apply multiple light coats of paint, adjusting the jack screw between coats. Then let it run a little.

I think the finish was more gloss black then semi-gloss, at least on a 67. Maybe a 74 is different.

Here's mine after refinishing. At my first judging event, the judge wrote "rust, rust, rust" on my score sheet with reference to the jack and jack compartment:



Have fun,