Roof Deuce Restoration

[mockingbird812]

Mikey recommended using phosphoric acid (available at Lowes/H. Depot) to remove old finishes in prep for the new plating. Each metal and its finish respond to the acid differently so they have to be monitored. Some items take only a few hours of soaking others may take a day or so. Mikey tip: after you remove the item from the phosphoric and rinse it in hot water while scrubbing it with a stiff brush , use a heat gun or hair dryer to dry it as quickly as possible to avoid flash rusting. I didn't think I would need it out here in the dry old desert - but I sure did. Make sure you use rubber gloves and don't splash that acid on any fabric - it will turn it immediately blue! Here are all of the prepped items (some non-shifter stuff too) I was going to have plated...

[mockingbird812]

I chose my plating types and color based on what I saw as I disassembled the shifter. I selected clear zinc and black zinc. Mikey would correct me and tell me that cadmium was the correct and more durable finish. This was a test resto for me and my local plater did not have cad plating capability so zinc (and chrome) it was. Here are the items back from the plater....

[mockingbird812]

Going back together (no grease at this time as this was a "dry" run)....

[mockingbird812]

All done. The Hurst Shifter Rebuild Tutorial under "Technical and Restoration" was a big help. <font color="blue"> Thanks to Darren, Mikey, and Crash for taking the time to document their process and for sharing their secrets. This is the type of thing that makes this site <u>head and shoulders above the rest!</u> </font>

[Mr. Chevy]

Sam, you da' MAN!!!

Very Nice.. "Hey Mikey he likes it"

Rich

[m22mike]

Sam
Your hired..

JMO, I would not get it a big debate about the plating type..
Your choice of clear zinc is fine and may be correct for original Hurst stuff.And other Chevy stuff.
I just happen to like the cad if you can get it. It does have a different look.
It is a better protection, that is why is is still used allot in the aircraft industry.
Carry on CDR

[Roof]

WOW!! Was just checking in to see if anyone had heard anything from our friends in Hawaii and happened upon this update. Don't know how but I had missed the entire Dec 09 post with all the deuce pics. The car looks FANTASTIC!!
Just reinforces the fact that we made the right decision to get it into the hands of someone who could give it the care it deserved. I also love the look of those traction bars. And that shifter looks amazing!!

Earl and I can't wait to see it again. Just looking at the pics actually made my jaw drop. Am really looking forward to getting together with Sam and Schonye so we can chew the fat about the restoration and the good ole days.