Build that 71 402 already

[DeadheadNM]

I seem to recall that zinc phosphate produced a glossy finish whereas manganese phosphate produced a flat, matte black finish. I believe the latter was typically used for GM fasteners etc. Is it possible your batches are a mix of zinc and manganese?

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

I seem to recall that zinc phosphate produced a glossy finish whereas manganese phosphate produced a flat, matte black finish. I believe the latter was typically used for GM fasteners etc. Is it possible your batches are a mix of zinc and manganese?

You could be right, and I once believed so, but I'm more inclined to believe most were zinc phosphate. Here's a site ddentifying the differences, I put their info. into captions. I looked at some of the old bolts on my un-restored C20, where I can get past the rust I can read the markings clearly. Still doesn't mean the manganese didn't wear off. http://429mustangcougarinfo.50megs.com/new_page_26.htm

Come to think of it, I have some NOS bolts, I'll pull them out later, take a picture.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Well Deadhead, I'm a little stumped on this one. You're right assuming the original bolts were say a much lighter manganese than the pictures and parts I have available. Per that website post 180, manganese is less than desirable. Could explain why inner fender bolts bust right, which is where I'm using the NOS in the pics. below

The images are of NOS bolts, and a comparison to a replacement bolt that's clearly Manganese. The picture doesn't illustrate the difference between the two. I can see light crystals on the NOS bolts, but only under direct light, even with my glasses on. The replacement bolt is heavily crystaled, easy to make out and there's a heavy sandy feel to it.

I blew-up the example of zinc phosphate in post 180, seems I can make out some crystals. Their description isn't clear where it reads "doesn't have the heavy crystallization of Manganese", can't tell if that means light or no crystals at all.

[DeadheadNM]

Interesting- now I’ve got to go look at mine. I thought Mn offered better corrosion protection but I may be mistaken. My trucks are living a gentle retirement so the oem Mn will do fine.

I looked into regalvanizing my oem fuel tank in the blazer. Apparently that’s akin to clear zinc somehow but results in larger crystals. Only mentioning because I wonder if crystal size can vary based on chemical milieu and/or temperature at time/place of plating.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Interesting- now I’ve got to go look at mine. I thought Mn offered better corrosion protection but I may be mistaken. My trucks are living a gentle retirement so the oem Mn will do fine.

I looked into regalvanizing my oem fuel tank in the blazer. Apparently that’s akin to clear zinc somehow but results in larger crystals. Only mentioning because I wonder if crystal size can vary based on chemical milieu and/or temperature at time/place of plating.

I don't know, but I'd sure like to see more of a certain blue Blazer someone owns

Agree, sat in the garage will probably outlast us just fine

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Used this fiberglass polish on one side of the evaporator box, the other needs some prep yet to paint the steel parts. I won't even swear this stuff is made for this, but from here I'm real happy with it.

I wiped it all off with a clean cloth, otherwise there would be more sheen. I'm looking for a conditioner as opposed a shine, and IMO this does that. Unless it's left on thick any discoloration will show (light areas). I could hide that with near any kind of shine for vinyl and that, but I like the idea of some imperfection representing how old this stuff is, it will match the stain on the glass of the rear view mirror

No affiliation It's not cheap, though there's plenty of it. It's like a frosting, not oily, but feels like it as you're buffing. Forgot to mention, I hit it three times & wiped it clean with a day or so in-between. Figured the third time was a waste, but it was worth the effort.

[IronCanine]

Looks good. Solid tip.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

I've had this Masterseries/Mastercoat lying around, and found an excuse for it on the tie rods. Seems the finish on the rods was a decent phosphate, but everything else was black so what the heck.

I didn't follow quite to the letter, but super nice stuff. IMO I wouldn't even attempt the primer coat without thinner. The top coat applies nicely with a sponge brush, a monkey could do it, though I can't speak for a large area. Stuff is TOXIC, I can't imagine painting an entire frame with it less using a sprayer.

I used the primer on something I've since removed.........I'll bet it's the toughest primer available. Four hours labor where paint & powder coat would take 15 minutes.

Funny looking "satin" though, I'd hate to see what the gloss looks like. May have been an error.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

I used the top coat on the front bed panel bolts, no primer no problem. All the other bolts were painted. Speak of tough stuff, I don't know what his process for the underneath is, but it will outlast me easy. Needs a bath yet.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Cleaned up my steering wheel enough to see what I got, it's going to see some 3M product, very little sanding. Hard to believe there's 140K on it.

Just BSing, it's an early take-off. It's not perfect, I've never seen a steering wheel wear in this manner, both sides of spokes the same. It's the seller's idea of "no cracks", apparently lifting doesn't count Having received it I'd have bought it anyway, it's hard to dislike the rest.

Perhaps if I leave it alone it won't get worse during my time, this truck won't see much sun But I may patch it up with something black, such as JB weld. I'm not so sure patching is a preventive measure though. Another option might be melted plastic, other suggestions appreciated. The damage is on top, so something or nothing is sight unseen.

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

...But I may patch it up with something black, such as JB weld. I'm not so sure patching is a preventive measure though.

Tony I'm sure you know this...but JB Weld does make a "plastic" weld (#8237) that may be better suited for this, but it does not cure black. I'm sure in this area, some touch up paint would be unnoticeable.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by IronCanine

Tony I'm sure you know this...but JB Weld does make a "plastic" weld (#8237) that may be better suited for this, but it does not cure black. I'm sure in this area, some touch up paint would be unnoticeable.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1

[IronCanine]

I'm sure either of those would work fine. I thought this would be easier/less messy:

https://www.amazon.com/J-B-Weld-8237...GASGH7WHQ7E85F

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by IronCanine

I'm sure either of those would work fine. I thought this would be easier/less messy:

https://www.amazon.com/J-B-Weld-8237...GASGH7WHQ7E85F

Nice to have choices.

Had this delivered today, and dropped off the cab platform and fenders. The cab is next. Going to be sweet building that cab while he's on doors and fenders. We had settled on a price too, what he quoted 5-6 years ago doesn't fly, and he didn't even mention it. Anyway, this grew bigger than both envisioned for sure, and I couldn't replace him. So today we settled on half again as much, and I still flashed an imaginary bonus number

[DeadheadNM]

That’s a nice wheel. I’d like to scare up details on plastic polishing for these and tcase shift handles.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

So I'm in COVID quarantine right. My son and his gal tested positive Tuesday morning, we helped them move Monday and went to lunch

So I figure a good time to paint . I won't paint much, not set-up for a spray gun. K2 Spray max. meets my use, nice hard finish. Awfully expensive though, and doesn't go as far as you might hope for.

Speak of, maybe it's my eyes, but I can't paint worth a (*^)*^ in the sun. I had to hit more than a few pieces again, on time so all good. I sprayed the window regs and channels, ducts, module and some wire retainers for the engine bay.

[IronCanine]

Looks good.

Hope you stay well Tony. Best to your son and his girl too for a speedy recovery.

[DeadheadNM]

Originally Posted by ironcanine

looks good.

Hope you stay well tony. Best to your son and his girl too for a speedy recovery.

x2

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by IronCanine

Looks good.

Hope you stay well Tony. Best to your son and his girl too for a speedy recovery.

Thank you. She was sick with fever and that early Tues. morning. Felt much better since, still a cough. My son has had a scratchy throat, no other symptoms less his back hurts a pinch. As for my other son who's here and I no symptoms. I did feel poorly last weekend, but I ripped out concrete on Friday & Sat. too old for that &*%.

Tell you I love my C20. She was a low rider, took over an hour to dump it. I've used the heck out of it for yard & estate clean-up, something like 40 full I'll bet, I've only owned it 4-5 years - you never really appreciate how big a load they take until you dump it.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

I could use some motivation, what a 15 month ride man. On top of everything else I lost all three uncles since my mom & sister passed, and my step father some days ago too. Of all things the Lt. Col died "of COVID", which is BS, he'd have beaten that if he cared to. I haven't seen him since March, he was locked away by COVID in a care center for dementia and that. And without details because it's dirty, I didn't get to see him go either. You would not believe, some people are just plain vultures. I was a son to him, and he was a dear friend. We could always count on each other, he was my parent longer than my dad, and he offered things my father never could. He was my mother's love since childhood, and heaven sent too - timing.

So geez man, 3 months of smoke on top of it all, I'm near sure that's why my mom's dog went blind contributed. He's doing much better BTW, he can see and I tapered him off his meds. Losing weight though, we believe an immunity disorder.

So here I sit with a heater box I need to finish prepping, same with an air cleaner, same with half an evap. box etc. Fresh driveline I don't want to install, it's a 15 minute job.
They're all in the house staring at me for weeks, the beauty of being a bachelor. All I really want to do is play my drums and smoke, which I was supposed to have quit. Quit the smokes that is, drums takes me somewhere else.

I'll get out of this hole for sure, just waiting for a thrust.

[IronCanine]

Tony... I'm just glad to see a post from you. Had you on my mind and almost PMed last night.

What a year. Completely unfair. I don't know of too many that will look back on 2020 with fondness.... Sometimes it is good to narrow your gaze though. That heater box and that driveline would be my best medicine.

We're not fully in a project right now, but there have been a few days this year where I just had to go down in the basement and work on (or just look at) subassemblies...even if I was making little to no progress on them. And I felt better afterward, regardless of progress or result.

I'll put some friendly pressure on you. I want to see some progress pics. Do it for us. And then we can all jealously stare at your work and tell you how awesome it is. It'll make us all feel better.

[davischevy]

It's been a long time, but the first thing I do when I get in a slump is think of all the people I know that have worse problems than I do, then try to think of a way to help them.

I agree with IC, about keeping busy.

"Busy hands are Happy hands".

Good to hear from you BTW.

[LT7A]

Originally Posted by davischevy

It's been a long time, but the first thing I do when I get in a slump is think of all the people I know that have worse problems than I do, then try to think of a way to help them.

This comment stayed in my head, so I came back to mention it. Lots of people talk about reminding themselves of other people who have it worse than they do, but not many of them sit and try to think of a way to help them. Hat's off to you Larry, this made me think.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Picked some things up from the candy store today. A sample - he painted the core support as well. The bed extensions were sprayed in the same material as under the bed & cab. Same material sprayed underneath the skirts.

Saw the cab as well, ochre is done. He plans to finish it this weekend

[IronCanine]

Hot Dog that's some good looking mustard!