72 hood latch

[John W.]

I need to know the finish on the '72 hood latches that mounts to the body- is it black or natural? Maybe black on the plate that mounts to the body and natural on the pin and spring? Thanks

[Edward J.]

Re: 72 hood latch

John, The hood latches and mounting plates and hardware where all black phosphate, The pins and big washers where zinc or cad, plated.

[Joe L.]

Re: 72 hood latch

John, The hood latches and mounting plates and hardware where all black phosphate, The pins and big washers where zinc or cad, plated.

Edward-----


If by "pins" you mean the lock bolts, those were black phosphate.

[Ron G.]

Re: 72 hood latch

I believe mid year hood latch springs were dipped painted black and 70 - 72 were black oxide. Done lots of these and verified finishes with reputable platers. In addition to comments made by the aforementioned in regard to the type of plating on the latches itself, yes I agree that they were black phosphate, but some were also gray phosphate.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 72 hood latch

In addition to comments made by the aforementioned in regard to the type of plating on the latches itself, yes I agree that they were black phosphate, but some were also gray phosphate.

I suspect that they were all done with the same process, but having done home phosphating I can say that every batch and part can appear different with regard to color. The ones I see restored as gray (zinc) always appear too light to me. But, that's just my take on it.

[Joe L.]

Re: 72 hood latch

I believe mid year hood latch springs were dipped painted black and 70 - 72 were black oxide. Done lots of these and verified finishes with reputable platers. In addition to comments made by the aforementioned in regard to the type of plating on the latches itself, yes I agree that they were black phosphate, but some were also gray phosphate.

Ron------


I think the plater is incorrect regarding the hood latch springs being black oxide. Black oxide is a finish rarely used for Corvette parts. Black oxide is a very deep black and very smooth.

I have a pair of NOS GM #3918597 lock bolt springs as used for 1968-76 Corvettes. These are definitely black phosphate. They can be seen in the following thread I posted to:

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?107192-Hood-latches&highlight=hood+latches

The original springs on my 1969 are also black phosphate.

[Ron G.]

Re: 72 hood latch

Sorry Joe. You're right. Believe it or not, I really did mean to say black phosphate and not black oxide. Uusally becasuse I am alwas saying black oxide quite a bit. I am actually getting ready to have mine replated. However, black oxide was used on several Corvette and GM components.