restoring 69 hood hinges

[DT]

Anyone have a good paint that closely matches the "correct" color of the hood hinges on a 69 ??  I'm not sure I want them plated in Phosphate and have to worry about rust.  Most of the hinges I have seen, look dark grey, not really the phosphate color??? 

[JohnZ]

These are my original hood hinges (02D '69 Norwood car) that have never been touched except to wipe them down once. The flash makes them look lighter than they really are.

[DT]

Wow John, they look brand new!!!  So if I have them plated I shouldn't worry about rust???

[Charley]

Plate them yourself with Palmettos stuff and coat with Wd 40

[cook_dw]

You can also try this.


http://home.comcast.net/~rt66tbird/website/phosphate_etching.html

[69Z28-RS]

Thank you Cook...       

There is some really good information at that link on zinc plating, and clinch riveter, as well as the phosphating article.  These work for Chevroelts as well thunderbirds. 

[cook_dw]

Anytime.   

I emailed the author about the sodium dichromate solution process.  If he replies I will post up that process.

[DT]

Great stuff guys, Thanks!!!

[cook_dw]

I havent heard from the author yet but I did find him on a T-bird website.  Here is what he is talking about on the process of sodium Dichromate..


Sodium Dichromate

[DT]

Which Palmettos is the "correct" finish    Manganese or the Zinc??  Manganese solution appears to be charcoal black and the Zinc solution is a medium grey. 

[Charley]

I don't remember which one I have used but you can vary the darkness by how long you leave it in the solution. Cheap fun. Buy both a play with it. I also plate a bunch of bolts. Stainless steel salad bowls work great. Do it outside on the bar-b-q so you don't get in trouble in the house. Pour in water, solution, make bolt soup. Pretty easy.

[DT]

Thx Charley

[68camaroz28]

Do some Palmetto searches and you will find a ton on info! Just phosphate some odds and ends yesterday including a-arm shims (glass beaded the zinc off)! You learn things when you utilize the process like scrubbing the parts with a soft brush and WD-40 to make sure the salts are removed or you will have white spots. I also just tried mystery oil instead of WD-40 and it worked better.
As Charlie mentioned (I agree 100%) buy both and have fun. I just use a cheap hot plate that does not take the solution past 200 degrees F. and stole some old stainless steel pans from the wife's stockpile.

[montgomg]

I used the medium gray phosphate coating from Palmetto on my 69 Camaro hinges. The color looks just right. You can make the color darker (but not charcoal gray) by leaving the part in the solution longer. I use either WD40 or Rem oil on the treated parts.
After a year no rust on the hinges.

[DT]

Thanks guys