I wire brushed and hit mine with POR-15 then gloss black top coat.
Half-shaft refinish
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 409
Likes: 3
From: St. James, NC
Half-shaft refinish
I’m going to have the half-shafts out while I replace the u-joints. I figured I would pretty them up while I have them out; they are awful rusty. I’m looking for suggestions regarding techniques, paints, correct finish, etc.
Thanks
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,202
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
The half-shafts are made of a piece of extruded steel tubing with forged ends for the universal joints. The forged ends were welded to the tube. All the components were originally 'natural'. The tube was quite 'bright' when brand new but rusted quickly. There were lines running the length of the tube from the extrusion process. There was a darkened 'heat zone' on the ends of the tube from the welding process.
There are lots of ways to refinish the half-shafts depending on the look and the serviceability you want.
I have semi-gloss clear on mine.
Regards,
Alan
Here's the 'before' picture. RUST
'After' The one on the right shows the actual finish most accurately.
The half-shafts are made of a piece of extruded steel tubing with forged ends for the universal joints. The forged ends were welded to the tube. All the components were originally 'natural'. The tube was quite 'bright' when brand new but rusted quickly. There were lines running the length of the tube from the extrusion process. There was a darkened 'heat zone' on the ends of the tube from the welding process.
There are lots of ways to refinish the half-shafts depending on the look and the serviceability you want.
I have semi-gloss clear on mine.
Regards,
Alan
Here's the 'before' picture. RUST
'After' The one on the right shows the actual finish most accurately.
Last edited by Alan 71; Feb 6, 2011 at 05:13 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 14
From: Dallas-Fort Worth TX
Mine had a nice coat of rust on them. When I pulled my rear end for a gear swap and new u- joints, and a rebuild, a good cleaning was in order. I sanded the crap out of them to get most of the rust off and then painted them. It's not original color, but should keep the rust away. Looks so much cleaner now. Added 6 Spicer u-joints. Ensure u put your driveshaft back on the same way u took it off, might cause it to not be balanced correctly.
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Last edited by Rebelrob; Feb 7, 2011 at 04:39 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 281
From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
After wire wheeling my shafts to metal, I followed with Por-15. I then top coated with Seymour Cast Blast. I will have to see if I can take a picture to post later tonight.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 314
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
All depends whether or not you are trying to return the car to the way it left the factory. I scrubbed mine with brass brushes, scotch brite pads and degreaser until I though my arms would fall off. The tubes were originally shot-peened and left natural from the factory, so I wanted to keep them that way. No sand or glass bead blasting, sandpaper or steel wool for me. After installing new u-joints, I wiped them down with Os-Pho and then sprayed them with CRC SP-400 corrosion inhibitor. Leaves a slightly sticky yellowish film but hey...better than rust. May have to wipe them with a solvent every so often and then re-spray with the CRC.
If you aren't into the original look and just want them to be pretty, then do whatever you want!
If you aren't into the original look and just want them to be pretty, then do whatever you want!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 409
Likes: 3
From: St. James, NC
Thanks everyone for all the good information and photos. I think I’m going to try to see how well I can get the half-shafts to clean up. If I get good results I will spray them with a satin clear. If I can’t get a finish that will look good with the clear, I will clean them up enough to lay down a good finish with Eastwood Brake Gray.
Thanks again
Pat
Thanks again
Pat
