1970 Strut Rod Restoration Revisited

[Stephen B.]

The last pictures I posted were after I had utilized gun bluing. The strut rods were a bit more bronze than blue. Now I've dabbed blue layout fluid over the glue bluing. I'd like some opinions of how the look. Keep in mind, I had increase the amount of blue by applying more layout fluid.

[Gary B.]

1970 Strut Rod Restoration Revisited

Steve,

Can you show an image that shows the entire strut rod? Up close, the surface finish looks pretty original looking to me, but it would nice to see the entire shaft in good lighting. Exactly what bluing did you use and where can one purchase it?

Thanks,

Gary

[Stephen B.]

Re: 1970 Strut Rod Restoration Revisited

Here's a picture of the complete strut rods. Notice the blotchy bluing. I started with gun bluing. They turned out more bronze than blue. Next I dabbed blue layout fluid over the gun bluing. I tend to think that the strut rods need a little more layout fluid dabbing.

[Gary B.]

1970 Strut Rod Restoration Revisited

Stephen,

Your technique looks very good to me. I judge mid-year chassis and based on the photos, I don't see grounds for any deducts during judging.

I'd like to try out your technique. Can you provide specific brand names for the gun bluing and the layout fluid?

Gary

[Stephen B.]

Re: 1970 Strut Rod Restoration Revisited

Here's pictures of the products. I purchased the layout fluid on eBay for around $12. The gun bluing kit came from Gander Mountain for around $15. I dabbed more layout fluid on the strut rods and shall post pictures in a couple of days.

[Gary B.]

1970 Strut Rod Restoration

Stephen,

Thanks for the product into. I'm looking forward to seeing your final photos.

Gary

[Harmon C.]

Re: 1970 Strut Rod Restoration

Nice job. Four weeks for 8 judging points. 416 per year. For 4500 points this could be a 11 year restoration. That may not be the record.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1970 Strut Rod Restoration Revisited

I have seen that Dychem layout fluid at a nuts & bolts store -- Fastenall I believe is the name, although I may have the spelling wrong. There is also a mail order source, but I usually pitch their catalogs, so I don't have a name at the moment.

BTW: The red version of this stuff works for the red dot on early C3 headlamp actuators. Much better looking than paint for the application.

[Stephen B.]

Re: 1970 Strut Rod Restoration Revisited

This time I put a heavy coat of layout fluid on the strut rods. They definitely are blue.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1970 Strut Rod Restoration Revisited

Steve, there was a thread within the last month or two in which someone posted a picture of a Pitman arm that has the most gorgeous as forged finish I have seen since I worked in a metallurgy laboratory. I wish I would have saved that image. I hope someone can find it for us.

[Stephen B.]

Re: 1970 Strut Rod Restoration Revisited

Terry,

I'll look for the picture. Do you think the finish is too blue? I can tone the blue down with rubbing them with laquer thinner.

[Gary B.]

Pitman arm photo

Terry,

Any idea who posted that photo? I'd like to take a look, but I can't find it in the archives.

Gary

Steve, there was a thread within the last month or two in which someone posted a picture of a Pitman arm that has the most gorgeous as forged finish I have seen since I worked in a metallurgy laboratory. I wish I would have saved that image. I hope someone can find it for us.

[Stephen B.]

Re: 1970 Strut Rod Restoration Revisited

Here's a link to a drag link for a straight axle. Good photo.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...itman&uid=9604

[Terry M.]

Re: 1970 Strut Rod Restoration Revisited

That's it Steve.
All the C1 suspension parts look alike to me.
The first three pictures, and especially the second one show the as forged finish. That blotchy look is the give away. It is splotchy because some of the scale falls off the hot piece as it is handled.

[Gary B.]

That blotchy look

Terry,

I imagine that blotchy appearance would be very difficult to duplicate without actually going thru the forging step.

Gary