Thoughts on finishing natural finish parts

[John M.]

My restoration budget has taken an unfortunate slash due to an unexpected Company closing.

I was planning on all brand new driveshaft, half shafts, sway bar, strut rods, steering box etc.

First I should clarify that my car will never be NCRS judged, rather an extremely detailed driver.

Some options are to clean up the parts, removing all surface scale and painting with cast or Steel paint as applicable.

Another option I'm thinking of would be to wire wheel the Natural finish parts, and then applying Grease or "Bowshield" leaving a more natural Dark "Brown" finish.

The natural Brown metal finish I would think would more realistically depict a car a few years old, give a nice natural contrast, and a little more credibility perhaps to the trained eye than paint or sandblasting.

I'm just not sure I want to paint natural finish parts and leave it looking "Cheesy"

Any thoughts or opinions for this scenario?

[Jack C.]

Re: Thoughts on finishing natural finish parts

John, you have the most important part of the project, the car itself. I believe that by wire brushing and the coating of the natural finishes would be the best way to go. You are 100% correct when you say the painted parts that are supposed to have a natural finish look "Cheesey". I'm sure things will turn around and you'll be able to finish your project that way you wanted to originally. Lastly, shoot for having the car judged. It's a great experience and it sounds like you are heading that way with your comment of a very detailed driver.

[Rob M.]

Re: Thoughts on finishing natural finish parts

I've applied VHT Cast Iron Flameproof Coating for the casted parts (steering house, diff, swaybar, etc. etc.) Worked out great!!!

See example of my colleagues (Mike Westenberg's) differential sprayed using this paint.

greetings,
Rob.

[Mark L.]

Re: Thoughts on finishing natural finish parts

I used a light coat of semi gloss clear on all the natural parts (half shafts, front spindels, sway bars etc), seems to be holding up pretty well and it's nearly undetectable.

[Alan S.]

Re: Thoughts on finishing natural finish parts

Hi John,
I've been happy with flat and semi-gloss clear on natural parts, too.
I think "an extremely detailed driver" sounds like a VERY GOOD idea.
Regards,
Alan

[Gary R.]

Re: Thoughts on finishing natural finish parts

For steering boxes that guys want to look good but not "correct" I blast,etch,POR15 and cast blast them. For the guys who want the correct finish most were bare iron or cheap flat black. Blasted and wire brushed will bring out the iron and a coat of light spindle oil will make them "new" again but you have to maintain the oil or it will rust in time. In between the two I have used clear coat and underhood black. Same for the diff's. T/A are treated with satin top coat and the iron parts the same as the others. This will give a great finish but may not be "correct" so you have to decide what you really want.
I can link you to pictures if you want to see them.

Here is 64 box I did, bare iron and oiled,the red witness marks are there so an alignemnt guy didn't try to adjust the box after I set it up.

[Ned T.]

Re: Thoughts on finishing natural finish parts

I really like the term: "Very Detailed driver". I might also consider that way to go.