C1 58-60 JG Cad Plated Part ? - Deck Lid Latch

[Richard M.]

Hi,

After 21 years, in preparation for some upcoming judging working on my top, I noticed my decklid latch hardware on the underside of the lid of my 59 has white overspray from the paint job done in 1970. I read in the JG that it's "cad plated", no overspray. I took all pieces apart. All parts are like brand new under the paint I'm cleaning off and under the nuts/washers, but it's "yellowish" plating, cadmium dichromate?. The JG doesn't distinguish what flavor, it just says "cad plated". I'm keeping it the way I found it as I'd say it was built that way. My 62 JG says nothing about these parts, and I can't get at the 62 lid hardware right now as I'm alone and the HT is on it. Is it the same finish?

The big spring under the latch pin is black under the white, glossy I think.

Is this an issue in the 58-60 or 61-62 JG's? I couldn't find anything in the 4 archives.

Thanks,
Rich Mozzetta #13499
59 #5504
62 #0483

[Richard M.]

Photos of the Hardware....

[Larry C.]

Re: C1 58-60 JG Cad Plated Part ? - Deck Lid Latch

Hey, Rich,

I inspected my '62, #13078, build date 6-22-62, which I have owned since April 1965. The decklid latch (male and female parts) are all cadium plated with dull silver finish, except the spring which is painted glassy black (as best I can tell since it's unrestored and 45 years old.)

[Dan H.]

Re: Photos of the Hardware....

Looks good to me, had several 58 and 59's with the 'gold' color as yours are, wouldn't change a thing!
Regards
Dan

[Richard M.]

Re: C1 58-60 JG Cad Plated Part ? - Deck Lid Latch

Larry,

Hmmmmmm.Dan in the next post says his 58-59 were the yellow cad.

Interesting, I wonder what's underneath the spring retainer on your 62. If you feel adventurous a 3/4" wrench on the lock bolt and it comes right off! :-) or wait for someone else to jump in later.

Rich

[Roy B.]

Re: Photos of the Hardware....

Again/ what should we do? Go for JM or original??

[John H.]

Re: Photos of the Hardware....

Looks like hood striker hardware, not deck lid latch hardware.

[John M.]

Re: C1 58-60 JG Cad Plated Part ? - Deck Lid Latch

Those pics look just like every 58-60 latch that I have ever seen. Everyone of them had the light dichromate finish on them, and that is the way I always restore them. I have never had one take a single point hit with the finish like this. It is very tough getting the part in the chromate and then getting it into the rinse before it gets too dark. I have to have the rinse tank right next to the chromate limit the time that the part is exposed to the chromate.

The spring should be gloss black.

John, the reason that this looks like a hood latch is that the pin used on the latch is the same pin, spring and nut that is used on 60-62 cars!

Regards, John McGraw

[Larry C.]

Re: C1 58-60 JG Cad Plated Part ? - Deck Lid Latch

Hey, Rich,

Not sure if I follow your response to my silver cadium latch but are you suspecting that there is yellow cad under the spring retainer?? I have heard many experts over the years say that the Corvette plant used more than one supplier and/or same supplier used different plating techniques even during the same model production year. My hood hinges, latches (male and female) are all silver cadium but have seen many restored/unrestored ones that were yellow. Think the plant did whatever was easy and made since and differences are going to show up from car to car.

[Richard M.]

Re: C1 58-60 JG Cad Plated Part ? - Deck Lid Latch

Hi Larry,

Yes I'm wondering if it is, and based on some other responses maybe there were in fact different plating finishes on these parts. I'm pulling the HT of my 62 tomorrow and pull the pieces off to see what's under the retainer.

There is still an issue with what the JG says I'd say. Maybe it's really saying either by not being specific. I'm confused. We've been going through this very same plating issue in the JCNA(Jaguar) world. It has created much controversy at those judged events.

Rich

[Richard M.]

Re: Photos of the Hardware....Roy

I'm keeping mine the yellow flavor.:-) Also, I finished removing the white paint and all parts other than the spring are all yellow cad, including the backside of the 3 srcews.

Rich

[Gerard F.]

Re: C1 58-60 JG Cad Plated Part ? - Deck Lid Latch

Rich,

From your pictures above, the finish under the paint looks like yellow cad, or yellow zinc dichromate, maybe real cad with dichromate (with the rainbow finish). Be careful in stripping the paint, the dichromate finish will come off with any strong acid or basic finish, use a neutral stripping or cleaning agent.

If you think or know the part is original, finish it the way you found it,
regardless of what the JG says. You can always argue that's the way I found it. You might be the true historian.

They sometimes change the JG when new variances are found. It is just a guide.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179