Suggestion on finish
 

Any of you other resto guys have a good technique for duplicating the transparent brownish shalac looking finish that was applied on many bare steel parts. I have a Turbo 400 dipstick tube with this finish on it and have come across many other parts just like it but have been unable to duplicate it to my satisfaction. Thanks

Re: Suggestion on finish
 

I have used a product called 'Metal Protective Coating' which comes in a spray can. It keeps the part from rusting, and after a few weeks starts looking brownish. I tried it on my exhaust manifolds too, it burned off in about 3 minutes. I didn't use it on too many parts though, went with the natural steel paint instead - mainly things like pedals, inside the trunk on the 1/4's, sway bars, ect...
M

Re: Suggestion on finish
 

Thanks Marlin, anyone else have any ideas?

Re: Suggestion on finish
 

I have a paint that looks like black zinc,(not phos) that if mixed with a clear binder can give that look.

[Edited by micky69396 (02-07-2002 at 12:18 PM).]

Re: Suggestion on finish
 

I have a friend that works in the automotive plating business he said those parts are run through a phosphate bath then through oil and ran through the bake oven. He said its simply a cheap rust preventative. It's done to parts when auto makers dont want the cost of plating or painting. Hope this helps

Re: Suggestion on finish
 

Maybe thats exactly what it is, just a baked on oil finish. I know it comes off very easily with a lacquer rag.

I have tried dipping parts in a 400 degree dirty oil bath which is great for darkening and treating cast iron parts like spindles. Never tried it on bare steel parts, I may try that and see what it does. Thanks guys.

Re: Suggestion on finish
 

Did you coat the parts after the hot oil dip?

Re: Suggestion on finish
 

No. The hot oil penetrates deep in the pores of the cast iron and makes for a pretty good seal. I doubt anything would stick. I do coat other bare steel parts with Bo-Shield which is a wax based product made for Boeing Aircraft and that works excellent.

22 year old thread but I thank Rick Nelson to turning me onto the Aeresol COSMOLINE
Product.....that may have been the "transparent brownish shalac looking finish" he was looking for....................