what color is natural finish for a 1969 steering spindle?

[Richard R.]

I am in the middle of a restoration and working on the chasis. I am ready to install the front springs, but am confused what "natural" means as to color of the front spindle. I have bead blasted on spindle and I could put some clear paint to keep it from rusting, but the blasted color is probably not the original. although I am having the car judged when complete, I don't want the darn thing to rust before I get it finished. Any suggestions on how to finish the spindle or what color paint to use on it?

Thanks,

Rich

[Joe L.]

Re: what color is natural finish for a 1969 steering spindle?

I am in the middle of a restoration and working on the chasis. I am ready to install the front springs, but am confused what "natural" means as to color of the front spindle. I have bead blasted on spindle and I could put some clear paint to keep it from rusting, but the blasted color is probably not the original. although I am having the car judged when complete, I don't want the darn thing to rust before I get it finished. Any suggestions on how to finish the spindle or what color paint to use on it?

Thanks,

Rich

Rich-------


The spindle finish was a natural, as-forged finish. This exact finish is virtually impossible to exactly restore. If it were me, and since you've already bead-blasted the spindles, I'd apply a very thin coat of low gloss or satin finish urethane clear and let it go at that.

[Alan S.]

Re: what color is natural finish for a 1969 steering spindle?

Hi Rich,
This spindle was cleaned with a wire wheel on a bench grinder and then sprayed with flat clear.
It looks a little shinier in the picture than it actually is because of the flare from the camera.
It doesn't look "as forged" as Joe described, but it doesn't have the 'cast blast' look either.
I'm now experimenting with cleaning them, letting them sit outside for a day or two so a bit of rust forms, and then putting the clear over that.
My wife doesn't even bother shaking her head in disbelief anymore when she asks what I'm doing.
Regards,
Alan
DSC_0501.jpg

[Terry M.]

Re: what color is natural finish for a 1969 steering spindle?

I would like to see a process print of this piece. I wouldn't be surprised these were grit blasted after forging, but before machining -- but without confirmation from the print, who knows?

The mill scale from hot forging is tough stuff and is not kind to machine tooling. Getting it out of the way before machining would have enhanced tooling life a lot.

[Joe R.]

Re: what color is natural finish for a 1969 steering spindle?

I believe the process is called "shot peened"! The shot is small steel balls that will take away the flash and actually surface harden the metal beyond the forging process. Leaves a beautiful semi-smooth finish very similar to the finish shown by Alan in his pic.

JR

[Mike E.]

Re: what color is natural finish for a 1969 steering spindle?

I'm not sure these are the correct color I media blasted mine then soaked in an oven at about 250 for 1/2 hour took them out hot and wiped down with used motor oil. This sprayed a liberal coating of BoeShield.

The clear coat seem like a good idea but I would skip the BoeShield but do the oil treatment and remove all the oil residue with something like PrepSol then clear coat. I don't think a 1969 has the same paint treatment as midyears, so ignore that. BTW mine should have orange paint I think at both ends. The machined services should probably look freshly machined too.








Mike

[Alan S.]

Re: what color is natural finish for a 1969 steering spindle?

Hi Mike,
That's some terrific looking restoration work!!!!
Regards,
Alan

[Richard R.]

Re: what color is natural finish for a 1969 steering spindle?

Thanks Guys! I now have a bit of direction. I will post an update once I have it ready to assemble, perhaps later this week if I can spend more time in the garage.

I can't believe that I get excited about the correct finish of a spindle. I won't mention this to my doctor.

Rich

[Don H.]

Re: what color is natural finish for a 1969 steering spindle?

Rich, if you didn't get excited about that spindle finish, we would have to consider revoking your membership....

[Richard R.]

Re: what color is natural finish for a 1969 steering spindle?

folks,

the pictures are of the spindle that was bead blasted, that I treated in a bit of a different way. Tell me what you think, please.

Also, Mike, you said you soaked in an oven - was that in water, or just on a sheet, or something else?

[Mike E.]

Re: what color is natural finish for a 1969 steering spindle?

folks,

the pictures are of the spindle that was bead blasted, that I treated in a bit of a different way. Tell me what you think, please.

Also, Mike, you said you soaked in an oven - was that in water, or just on a sheet, or something else?

Just sitting on the over rack then wipe down with used oil while still hot to give them a little brownish gray color. You need to get some type of rust preventer either a satin clear, BoeShield or equivalent. If you plan to clear coat wipe them down really good with Prep-Sol to remove any oil residue. Raw bleed blasted parts will start to rust in days even in a dry environment.

Mike

[Kenn S.]

Re: what color is natural finish for a 1969 steering spindle?

This worked great! I admit I beaded them before I read this, so upon reflection I should have probably tried de-rusting them versus beading to save the machined surfaces. Once beaded, they were way too silver in color. I was thinking I'd have to "cast blast" them, but really didn't like that idea.

Then I read this.

By heating them and wiping with oil, they were essentially "seasoned" just as you'd do with a cast iron frying pan. Brilliant! Great call.

I then also baked them for another 20 minutes after wiping to seal the deal. Once cooled, I degreased and hit them with a satin clear coat (to be honest, the cheap-o Valspar satin at Lowe's gave me the closest finish, comparing to some new rear struts I ordered, which were forged...the color is dead on). Then the orange. I can't say if the orange is right for a 1980 car, which these are from, but I'm practicing for my 1970, and this technique will fit right in with that car. The 1980 isn't to be judged, so I'll go with the awesome look these provide, right or wrong.

I'm guessing you did the same for the steering arms.

Now if I can just find new bolts for those same steering arms...can't bring myself to use rusted bolts.

Awesome technique...thanks for sharing.