Zinc Phosphateing of Hood Hinges, Catches, etc

[SS427]

One trick you can use if you are spray canning your parts is to dry spray them. After applying a complete coverage, let them dry (almost completely) and then hold the part about 18" away. Rapidly pulsate the spray nozzle causing a dry spray. This not only gives the part a duller finish but also a slightly textured one not unlike the original phosphate texture.

Another trick I use if I am spray bombing them is to prime them in black first, apply a lighter coat of the phosphate colored paint so that the black "bleeds" through. This has given me an overall darker phosphate color then right out of the can. They are very hard to distinquish from originals.
Rick

[mrrec]

We think alike, Rick! The dry spray thing does work good on a variety of finishes. The Eastwood spray Zn Phos. looks pretty good if you want the very dark look. The real thing varies considerably in shade, but I've almost never seen anything quite so dark - most is much lighter gray.

As far as real zinc phosphatizing goes, it will remain nice for many, many years if done properly. I have and have seen orig pieces with little rust after 30+ years. I usually double cook mine to thicken the coating and with climate controlled storage, I have no fear of corrosion.

The gun guys recommend WD-40 or oiling Parkerized (ZN phosphating) finishes for the ultimate in corrosion protection. I don't like the look and GM certainly never did it.
Dave

[Rick H]

Great subject seeing that I am getting ready to restore my hinges. Besides the phosphate has anyone recreated the blue paint for the stripe mark on each hinge? Seeing that my hinges are in pretty good condition, after they go through the parts washer I might just leave them alone. There is very little if any surface rust and that might come off in the washer. They are in exceptional condition considering the rest of the car. Yikes.

Any suggestions? Chuck?
Here they are.

Rick H.

[Bill Pritchard]

Wow, those are in excellent condition, Rick Nice pictures, too

[Rick H]

Bill, thanks. I never seen a set of 36 year old hinges this clean. Too bad the rest of the car didn't hold up as well.

New camera works great.

JAG, I'll go to Autozone and try it. Can't hurt.

Thanks
Rick H.

[firstgenaddict]

Rick,
I have found a product that is called Evaporust... available at Autozone it will remove rust and leave bare metal, however it will not harm paint, phosphate, any plating, etc. It runs about $7.00 a pint.

I used it extensively on the black 69 Z...
I would remove nuts and bolts and then just soak them in it over night... remove them and then coat with cosmoline.

The evaporust seems like it is very close to
http://www.safestrustremover.com/before-after.asp

[MosportGreen66]

[ QUOTE ]
Rick,
I have found a product that is called Evaporust... available at Autozone it will remove rust and leave bare metal, however it will not harm paint, phosphate, any plating, etc. It runs about $7.00 a pint.

I used it extensively on the black 69 Z...
I would remove nuts and bolts and then just soak them in it over night... remove them and then coat with cosmoline.

The evaporust seems like it is very close to
http://www.safestrustremover.com/before-after.asp

[/ QUOTE ]

I am going to check this out too. Thanks J!

Rick nice pictures... this is a great subject.
Here are the hinges from my 26,000 mile '70 Camaro.



-Dan

[Rick H]

Dan,
Are those a series of XXXXX's where the part number should be? I have never seen that before. Interesting.

Rick H.

[m22mike]

I have not seen any virgin hinges with the blue paint, was that a inspection mark from the hinge vendor or was it done on the line ?? cool picture

[SS427]

[ QUOTE ]
I have not seen any virgin hinges with the blue paint, was that a inspection mark from the hinge vendor or was it done on the line ?? cool picture

[/ QUOTE ]

Mike,
If you recall the thread on the 1970 Harrell Camaro and this photo, you can faintly see they also had this large blue inspection mark. These were likely done by the hinge vendor. Somewhere I have a close up shot of the mark and it looks exactly like the hinges shown above.

70 DH Camaro
Rick