refreshing hood supports

[Deleted User]

Has anyone found a good product that renews galvanized metal, such as the hood supports, and hood latch assembly ? Now that my engine compartment is starting to look like new again, these items are looking pretty shabby now.



I suppose I could have them re-galvanized, but where the heck wold that be done ?? Maybe a metal fence post maker ? Or washtub maker ?



Naaah, they wouldn't want to be bothered with my piddly three little parts !



Maybe I could have them boiled clean at a rad shop ? Anyone tried this ?



silverone.

Unknown

Have you tried sand or bead blasting them and just painting them with a good silver based paint? Not sure what everybody else does somebody will pop on in and fill in.

rambos_ride

Where they galvanized or annodized from the factory? It's easy to mistake the 2 finishes because annodizing can be colored as well.

I've had parts annodized before and just sent them to the same shop we has the chrome plating done.

Eastwood tools makes a zinc electroplating kit that might work as well
http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=134&itemType=PRODUCT

Park_W

You could have most any plating shop zinc plate those supports .... I've always thought that's how they were done originally. Or, make it easy and paint them with Eastwood's silver color carburetor paint ... it's the closest finish to zinc plating that I've found. But regarding the title of this thread, I've rapped my head on those supports a time or two and didn't find it refreshing at all!

Walt-LA

Perhaps a new thread is needed; but on the subject of "refreshing" parts, how did Hudson achieve the finish used on the recessed areas of the Hornet (and maybe other models) glove box doors, ash tray face, and instrument cluster? What is the best approach with pieces being replated? Thanks, Walt-LA

Unknown

those parts bwere originally cadmium platede, sandblast & use Krylon dull aluminum spray paint. Very close to orig finish.

SamJ

How many cold ones does it take to prop up a Hudson flip front hood?

[Deleted User]

Steve E. wrote:

those parts bwere originally cadmium platede, sandblast & use Krylon dull aluminum spray paint. Very close to orig finish.

I did try to use a product called cold galvaniser or some such name, rich in zinc, but it came out looking like gray paint, and not really like the factory finish.



I wonder about the spring on each arm, will paint stand up to all the flexing it has to do?



Could that be why it appears the factory went to a different finish ? I' ll bet paint would take quite a beating on the hood latch mechanism too, whereas galvanising, or anodising, or cadmium plating would be a lot tougher.



silverone

Park_W

The one thing you DON'T want to do is have the springs plated. That process will make them very brittle, and the first time you close the hood you'll hear the two little explosions as they break!

PAULARGETYPE

I Just Sand Blast And Then Clear Coat It Brings Them Back To Like New Cond.

[Deleted User]

PAULARGETYPE wrote:

I Just Sand Blast And Then Clear Coat It Brings Them Back To Like New Cond.

Now that's the best idea I've heard yet PAUL !!! That's exactly what I'm gonna do !



Thanks for this -- you,ve saved the day again !



Even better,

---

when I asked my powder coater if he'd paint these up with clear, he said he can powder coat with clear !!



Now how can you beat that. It'll be done by Tuesday.



silverone

Unknown

I've seen coil springs and other chassis parts get flexible powder coatings applied by their manufacturers. So, I guess, why not your hood springs. However, powder coatings do not have an infinite service life. As they age, they become brittle and shatter. This is especially true if the surface they are applied to has not been properly prepared and/or is subjected to a harsh environment.