C3 suspension parts finiish

[Michael L.]

I'm getting ready to paint a bunch of suspension parts and was wondering what the finish was on the following:
1) Tie rod sleeves
2) Rear shock shaft
3) steering control rod
4) Power steering piston support bracket and attaching hardware

Thanks,
Mike

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 suspension parts finiish

I'm getting ready to paint a bunch of suspension parts and was wondering what the finish was on the following:
1) Tie rod sleeves
2) Rear shock shaft
3) steering control rod
4) Power steering piston support bracket and attaching hardware

Thanks,
Mike

Mike-----


1) black, asphaltic coating

2) zinc plated

3) black, asphaltic coating

4) semi gloss black or natural, as-cast

nuts-----plain steel

lockwashers----plain steel

[Michael L.]

Re: C3 suspension parts finiish

Joe,

Thanks for the help, agian. I had some difficulty getting the asphaltic based paint so I chose to go with the the Quanta medium black for the frame. Should I do those items with this paint or is there another flavor that would be more appropriate, like the semi-gloss I am going to use for the contol arms?

I'm surprised to hear the shock shaft is zinc plated.

Is the hardware for the PS piston plated or is it just plain steel? I was under the impression that all of the hardware was either black (oxide?) or plated.

Thanks again for the help.

Mike

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 suspension parts finiish

Joe,

Thanks for the help, agian. I had some difficulty getting the asphaltic based paint so I chose to go with the the Quanta medium black for the frame. Should I do those items with this paint or is there another flavor that would be more appropriate, like the semi-gloss I am going to use for the contol arms?

I'm surprised to hear the shock shaft is zinc plated.

Is the hardware for the PS piston plated or is it just plain steel? I was under the impression that all of the hardware was either black (oxide?) or plated.

Thanks again for the help.

Mike

Mike-----


Assuming that you're referring to the below-pictured shaft, it was zinc plated as can be seen on this NOS example. If you're talking about some other piece, you'll have to be clearer about what you mean.

None of the hardware for the power steering cylinder was zinc oxide finished. The slotted nut at the steering relay rod was NATURAL steel. The bushing retainers at the end of the rod were zinc plated (and they're NOT the same as the common shock retainers although these are often used). The castle nut on the end of the rod was NATURAL steel and the cotter pin was NATURAL steel. The spacer was natural, too, but it doesn't matter because it can't be seen, anyway.

I would not recommend using the asphaltic coating, either. I think the Quanta medium black or semi-flat black will be a fine substitute.

[Michael L.]

Re: C3 suspension parts finiish

Thanks, Joe.

Yes that is the part. I am getting ready to send all the stuff out that needs to be re-finished. Do you or any members have any recs on a plater? I have heard about the benefits of being able to plate stuff yourself, and I may set myself up to do the odd job, but I prefer to send the bulk of the stuff out and just get it done.

Mike

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 suspension parts finiish

Thanks, Joe.

Yes that is the part. I am getting ready to send all the stuff out that needs to be re-finished. Do you or any members have any recs on a plater? I have heard about the benefits of being able to plate stuff yourself, and I may set myself up to do the odd job, but I prefer to send the bulk of the stuff out and just get it done.

Mike

Mike-----


Keep in mind that for parts like this shaft where strength is critical, the parts MUST be properly annealed after plating to eliminate the hydrogen embrittlement phenomenon.

[Michael L.]

Re: C3 suspension parts finiish

Mike-----


1) black, asphaltic coating

2) zinc plated

3) black, asphaltic coating

4) semi gloss black or natural, as-cast

nuts-----plain steel

lockwashers----plain steel

Joe,

I'm getting ready to paint those suspension pieces (finally) and noticed in my judging manual that they list the finish for the tie rod sleeves and the steering relay rod as natural. Is this a possible variation? Is the steering piston support bracket meant to be a slightly different color, i.e. semi-gloss vs. the standard frame black (Quanta meduim black in my case)? My plan was to paint those other pieces with the medium black, the same as the frame and I was going to paint the PS bracket the same way but now I'm thinking it may need to be the semi-gloss black.

Thanks for any assistance,
Mike

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 suspension parts finiish

Joe,

I'm getting ready to paint those suspension pieces (finally) and noticed in my judging manual that they list the finish for the tie rod sleeves and the steering relay rod as natural. Is this a possible variation? Is the steering piston support bracket meant to be a slightly different color, i.e. semi-gloss vs. the standard frame black (Quanta meduim black in my case)? My plan was to paint those other pieces with the medium black, the same as the frame and I was going to paint the PS bracket the same way but now I'm thinking it may need to be the semi-gloss black.

Thanks for any assistance,
Mike

Mike-----

The tie rod sleeves and the steering relay rod were natural finish. At least, they started out that way. However, they were part of the steering linkage assembly as assembled at the manufacturing source (Chevrolet-Buffalo). These assemblies were coated there with the asphaltic coating I described. The coating was quickly and sloppily applied so there may have been "holidays" where the natural finish "shone through". However, for the most part, if not completely, they were covered with the black asphaltic coating.

I have seen the power steering cylinder frame bracket both natural finish and painted semi-flat black on what I believe to be original cars. When painted, the paint was "flatter" looking than the asphaltic coating used on the frame through at least 1969 (after 1969 it's possible that the frames were painted but I'm not familiar with the sheen of that paint, assuming paint was used).

[Michael L.]

Re: C3 suspension parts finiish

Thanks, Joe. My plan then is to go with the Quanta medium for those pieces (my sub for the asphaltic coating) and I will try going with a low gloss on the PS piston bracket.

Can I impose on you again? In the Tripoli book the finish is listed for most of the bolts, with some additional info on the rest of the hardware (i.e. nuts and washers) also mentioned in the TIMJG. But when not mentioned, can it be assumed that the finish for the nut and washers is the same as the bolt? For example, the steering box bolt finish is listed as black in Tripoli; does this mean the washers and nuts are black as well?

Thanks again,

Mike

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 suspension parts finiish

Thanks, Joe. My plan then is to go with the Quanta medium for those pieces (my sub for the asphaltic coating) and I will try going with a low gloss on the PS piston bracket.

Can I impose on you again? In the Tripoli book the finish is listed for most of the bolts, with some additional info on the rest of the hardware (i.e. nuts and washers) also mentioned in the TIMJG. But when not mentioned, can it be assumed that the finish for the nut and washers is the same as the bolt? For example, the steering box bolt finish is listed as black in Tripoli; does this mean the washers and nuts are black as well?

Thanks again,

Mike

Mike----


No, bolts, washers and nuts are not always a "matched set" as far as finish goes. Very often, the lock washers are "plain" finish even if the bolts and nuts are otherwise. Also, zinc plated nuts are sometimes used on black-phosphate-finished bolts.