Strut Rod Finish 72 Coupe

[Edward J.]

I Just Finished Rebushing Strut Rods And Glass Beading -whats The Finish On The Rods On A 72 Coupe, I Read Article Awhile Back Someone Was Putting A Blueing Effect On Them ,something Used On Guns.is This A Correct Finish, I Thought Natural Or Black.

[Joe L.]

Re: Strut Rod Finish 72 Coupe

I Just Finished Rebushing Strut Rods And Glass Beading -whats The Finish On The Rods On A 72 Coupe, I Read Article Awhile Back Someone Was Putting A Blueing Effect On Them ,something Used On Guns.is This A Correct Finish, I Thought Natural Or Black.

Edward-----


They were a natural, as-forged finish. Sometimes, this is seen as a slightly bluish or black appearance on areas of the rod. There was also often a rather smooth scale seen in areas of the rod. In my opinion, both of these are very difficult, if not impossible, to duplicate. This is one of these deals where "you can't go home again". In other words, once the original finish is destroyed due to corrosion or any sort of cleaning effort, it's gone for good and virtually impossible to restore.

[Gary B.]

Edward, check the BD for a Feb 7 posting by Stephen Byrd

Lot's of good stuff there.

Gary

[Edward J.]

Re: Strut Rod Finish 72 Coupe

Joe & Gary For Judging Reasons Whats The Best Choice, Ive Never Seen A Strut Rod W/anything Like The Blueing Effect In The Past Post, Natural? Maybe With A Satin Clear To Keep The Rust Away.

[Joe L.]

Re: Strut Rod Finish 72 Coupe

Joe & Gary For Judging Reasons Whats The Best Choice, Ive Never Seen A Strut Rod W/anything Like The Blueing Effect In The Past Post, Natural? Maybe With A Satin Clear To Keep The Rust Away.

Edward----


I can't speak from a judging perspective since I do no judging. However, I think you're best bet is to do as you say. Leave the rods with the clean, bead-blasted finish and apply a very light coat of a satin clear to preserve and protect against rust.

As far as original rods go, I have several NOS examples of the 63-74 rods. As I recall, without going out there and getting to them, none of them show any evidence of "bluing". However, I do know that SOME original rods did. Let's keep it simple and assume that yours were NOT among them.

[Edward J.]

Re: Strut Rod Finish 72 Coupe

THANKS JOE, I USE TO BE A LINE MECHANIC FOR A FEW CHEVROLET DEALERS AND PREP MANY A CORVETTE FROM 78 THRU 87 BEFORE GOING INTO BUSINESS FOR MY SELF.IVE NEVER REMEMBERED SEEING THE BLUEING EFFECT IN THOSE YEARS.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Strut Rod Finish 72 Coupe

Ed,

According to one prominent member here, the reproduction strut rods are pretty much "dead on" with respect to appearance, and for the $ involved it's hard to restore your own and insert new bushings.

Patrick

[Stephen B.]

Re: Strut Rod Finish 72 Coupe

I've been perfecting my technique for the strut rod finish and shall post my results the next day or two. I believe I have the color pretty close.