1970 Strut Arms

[Les G.]

I am refinishing the strut arms. In the judging manual it says either natural or black. What is correct? If natural, can I paint them natural color and what is that, who makes it?

[Bill C.]

Re: 1970 Strut Arms

I'm not sureif there is a natural paint. You could always degrease and then use a rust removing agent to get the natural color back.
They almost have a color finish that is close the the DARK grey cast blast paint. Maybe you could give them a very light misting of this color paint.



I think they would have some black on them if it happened when the car was getting the blackout operation.

[Dick W.]

Re: 1970 Strut Arms

Cold blueing found at most gun shops. The structs were heat treated originally and had a blueish hue to them

[Terry M.]

Re: 1970 Strut Arms

I am refinishing the strut arms. In the judging manual it says either natural or black. What is correct? If natural, can I paint them natural color and what is that, who makes it?

There is no "natural" paint because the natural finish of one part will be different than the natural finish of another part. The chart with chassis finishes describes the finish of the strut rod using the words "as forged." That is the blue-gray color described by Dickie.

There was a long thread here several months ago in which someone tried to duplicate that finish using a verity of chemicals. In fact one of the five automatic searches at the bottom of the page has the results of that effort. Try scrolling down the page. You might be surprised at what you find, but a search of this board will tell you more.

[Les G.]

Re: 1970 Strut Arms

I re-media blasted my strut arms and purchased at Dick Sporting Goods Gun Metal Blue coated them and left in garage overnight. When I looked at them this AM they where rusty. So I had to sand the rust off recoat then I clear coated them. I will see how the look in the next couple of days before I install.

[Doug J.]

Re: 1970 Strut Arms

Just had my 71 judged, lost points for having the strut rods painted. I blasted tham and painted them with a light coat of the Stainless Steel Paint, you could not tell where the bare metal ended and the paint began while I was painting them. They knew they were painted because they were not rusty..so you sacrifice condition for originality..go figure.
Your best bet would be to paint them black..this way everybody is happy.