Seat reinforcement finish?

[James B.]

I am going to replace the underbody stamped steel seat reinforcements on my 67 (A O Smith body) The Judging Guide specifies they should be painted green zinc chromate same as the bird cage. Can anyone suggest a source for this paint?
I am also surprised the JG says the birdcages were painted. I have always thought they were dipped?

[Ara G.]

Re: Seat reinforcement finish?

James, not sure of the usual suppliers of repro parts for our cars but check your local Boating supply store. Marine products require zinc chromate a lot because of the salt water. Year back I got some great zinc chromate from Boat Owners Warehouse...Great shade of green too...Regards. ARA

[Terry M.]

Re: Seat reinforcement finish?

Aircraft also have zinc chromite parts, so you might try aircraft suppliers. www.Skygeek.com is one such.
The reason zinc chromite is so hard to get is it consists of some really nasty chemicals. Many guys use a paint that is colored to match, but of course that will not have the corrosion resistance of the real deal. On the other hand if your car spends its life indoors or in an inclosed trailer, what does it matter?

[Bill H.]

Re: Seat reinforcement finish?

Yea, get the marine stuff. I first bought a can of Duplicolor, it wasn't even close to the correct shade on my 67. The best is Moeller Marine Zinc Chromate Professional, perfect match.. I would buy it on line if you aren't in a hurry. I was in a hurry and the local West Marine store ripped me for $16.50, on line it's $8.50. I used it on the underbody steel channels. I have one of the very few A.O. Smith 67's with black seat mounts.

[Bill H.]

Re: Seat reinforcement finish?

The reason zinc chromite is so hard to get is it consists of some really nasty chemicals.

Oh, yea, don't shoot the Moeller without a respirator on.

[John H.]

Re: Seat reinforcement finish?

I am also surprised the JG says the birdcages were painted. I have always thought they were dipped?

James -

The birdcage zinc chromate primer was sprayed - see photo below. Click it twice for full size.


BirdcagePrime1024.jpg

[James B.]

Re: Seat reinforcement finish?

Bill, great info and yes, I will use respirator.

John, thanks for pic, very interesting, I guess Corvette was low enough volume that it was more cost effective to spray vs dip.

[John H.]

Re: Seat reinforcement finish?

Bill, great info and yes, I will use respirator.

John, thanks for pic, very interesting, I guess Corvette was low enough volume that it was more cost effective to spray vs dip.

James -

Dipping was hardly ever used as a GM paint process due to the amount of material required to fill a tank, the amount of material lost when the item exited the tank, and the cumulative dilution/contamination of the material in the tank. Zinc chromate primer was a nasty, toxic material regardless how it was applied, and OSHA would never allow it these days.

[Jim S.]

Re: Seat reinforcement finish?

James -

The birdcage zinc chromate primer was sprayed - see photo below. Click it twice for full size.


[ATTACH=CONFIG]48709[/ATTACH]

John, Would spray paint for ZC primer also be used by AO Smith on the smaller pieces? Such as core support & under body brackets. Thanks

[John H.]

Re: Seat reinforcement finish?

John, Would spray paint for ZC primer also be used by AO Smith on the smaller pieces? Such as core support & under body brackets. Thanks

Jim -

Yes - A.O. Smith didn't have a black primer flow-coat system.