Refinishing Actuators
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 192
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Refinishing Actuators
I recently stripped my wiper door actuator, which was painted black and
removed any (Zinc chromate ???) plating that was originally on it. My
question is: does anyone know of a paint that resembles this finish ?
I remember seeing something in one of the catalogs at some ridiculous
price of like $50. Anything else available ?
removed any (Zinc chromate ???) plating that was originally on it. My
question is: does anyone know of a paint that resembles this finish ?
I remember seeing something in one of the catalogs at some ridiculous
price of like $50. Anything else available ?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,023
Likes: 2
From: TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Refinishing Actuators (Troublemaker 71)
I got pretty good results by spraying with gold chrome paint followed by a light coat of silver chrome paint. Doesn't exactly look like the zinc, but from 5 feet it's a pretty good approximation.
JB
JB
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,103
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From: Tucson AZ
Re: Refinishing Actuators (JB)
I think they were cadium coated like the headlight actuators. Zinc Chromate plating will produce a similar to original look if I remember correctly.
[Modified by Robert N, 11:05 AM 9/18/2002]
[Modified by Robert N, 11:05 AM 9/18/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 9,662
Likes: 7
From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Refinishing Actuators (Troublemaker 71)
Eastwoods sell a "Golden Cad" system that is actually 4 cans of different colored paint, A silver base, then a very thin red, and a thin green and finally a dusty looking gold. You spray in a set order then if you have held your mouth just right and applied the paint perfectly, it will look sort of like the gold cad plating that was originally on the actuator (from a distance.)
The only way to really refinish them is to replate them with zinc that has some yellow zinc chromate crystals in the solution.
The only way to really refinish them is to replate them with zinc that has some yellow zinc chromate crystals in the solution.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,023
Likes: 2
From: TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Refinishing Actuators (Troublemaker 71)
Here's a pic of my wiper door actuator with the silver chrome & gold chrome paint. Looks pretty good, IMHO. Compare it to the brand new master cylinder lid in the bottom of the pic.
JB
[Modified by JB, 2:35 PM 9/18/2002]
JB
[Modified by JB, 2:35 PM 9/18/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 5
From: Lake Villa IL
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Refinishing Actuators (Troublemaker 71)
Eastwood's stuff is good, but unless you live within driving distance, be prepared to get whacked with the hazmat fee of around $17.00. That's on top of the already inflated price of their stuff. I'm glad their Coroless has lasted as long as it has, because I'm not ready to spend any more money with them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 9,662
Likes: 7
From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Refinishing Actuators (JB)
I've seen JB's actuator in person and it looks as good as the Eastwoods "Golden Cad" system. In fact when I saw it I thought that's what he had used.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,201
Likes: 0
From: Clifton Park NY
Re: Refinishing Actuators (joeveto)
I tried the Eastwood stuff, with decent results, but (1) everyone can tell that it's paint (and it would be unreasonable to expect the contrary), (2) the colored paint washes off (unless you clear coat the part once you're done), and (3) it's overpriced. I guess what I mean is, I wouldn't buy it again.
Joe, I've bought a lot of stuff from Eastwood (Corroless, Detail Gray, Chassis Black, etc), and I don't think I ever paid that hazmat fee... :confused:
-Pedro
Joe, I've bought a lot of stuff from Eastwood (Corroless, Detail Gray, Chassis Black, etc), and I don't think I ever paid that hazmat fee... :confused:
-Pedro
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 39
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From: media pa
Re: Refinishing Actuators (Pedro'74)
Here's one that made me pretty skeptical until I saw it. The original gold finish is cadmium. I wonder why the Japs use it so much because it doesn't work. Anyway, a buddy of mine did his brake booster in a '67 Camaro using gold enamel. Before the enamel flashed over he hit it lightly with clear lacquer. The lacquer attacks the enamel and dulls the finish down so it doesn't look too much like paint. I've used the Eastwood stuff, and like everybody says, it's OK but I don't think it's worth the money. I think the lacquer over enamel trick looked as good....at least it is a big bang for the bucks. Personally, I polished mine until they glowed in the dark, painted them with 3 or 4 coats of etching primer and finshed with Dupont Centari black. So the resto ***** won't like it, but the finish isn't going anywhere.
