Orig parts finish quality

[DjD]

Staying as orig as possible on a restoration some parts (axle tubes, a-arms, even frame rails) get that nice cottage cheese finish after cleaning away the rust. Is that hammered look acceptable or is it time to find new parts? Is there a process that can be done that fills this in? Can the surface be taken down to bring back a smooth finish?

Is this cottage cheese caused more from media blasting with too course of material?

Thanks,
Dennis

[x44d80]

I had a similar problem on axle tubes and used a filling type primer to fill in the bumps then sanding smooth before painting.

[DjD]

Thanks for the input x44d80

Any others got an opinion?

...Dennis

[Mr70]

I like that cottage cheese affect.It shows character and originality to me.I see and feel a 32 year old part.
I was tempted to get Brand new reproduction or NOS clean swaybars for my Chevelle.But I decided to keep the originals and had them blasted.Once done they showed that cottage cheese look.I painted them black and sealed them with a durable coating.
Now I am not a show car judge,but I have been to many carshows with mine,and not ever heard anyone dislike their appearance.
I have seen people bend down and look at my undercarriage and reply"Yep,those are the originals".Just my .02

[SuperNovaSS]

I agree. As long as the original parts are in good working order I would not over restore them. At least at this point a person can be fairly certain they are not reproductions. When too much filler primer is used it also takes away from alot of the cast/stamping lines of the parts and makes them look "too perfect".



Jason

[Edited by SuperNovaSS (04-27-2002 at 08:56 PM).]

[JoeC]

Some parts were dipped not spray painted. I read an article were a guy was experimenting with dipping parts but didn't want to use a 5 gal bucket of paint so he used a 5 gal bucket of water with a top layer of paint. He said the paint floats on the water and you just dip the parts to coat them. I haven't tried it yet. I have seen some original NOS parts with heavy paint runs that do look like they were dipped not sprayed.

[CamarosRus]

Fifteen year old thread..........(LOL is this a record)

I'm wanting to learn/read specifics on how to dip/coat parts into black paint.

If with the floating on water method, what paint brand, type, formula ..all the details.
Do you use a catalized 2K single stage product today and how long do you have to
complete the dipping before "pot life" is expired ???

What about temperature of metal, temp of water, temp of the room ???

Thanks

[CamarosRus]

Bumping for education on HOW TO DIP PARTS in semi gloss Black Paint........?????????

[RPOLS3]

Years ago we simply used a small tank with a hinged top on it (probably +/- 15 gallon size) and filled it up with GM chassis reconditioning paint #1050104. Hung the parts on coat hangers and dunked them individually and then let them air dry in the shop on the hanger - drips and all. Not to elaborate.

[Kurt S]

You fill it up with water, then float the paint on top. Then dip.