Rusty Chrome Seat Hinges
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Plano TX
Rusty Chrome Seat Hinges
Hey guys- First post for me, I've had my '69 350/300 coupe since last February.
I've been working on recovering the the seats with new leather skins, but found out about the rust problem on the lower frames that bolt down to the floor. The rear mounts were completely gone, I had to drill out the rivets and bolt on the new ones. Got the frames cleaned up pretty well and painted them. Had to lightly oil the rollers in the tracks, so that the seats will be adjustable now.
My problem now is that I have some pretty serious rust on the chrome bars that come down the sides of the seat backs and connect to the bottom frame with the pivot bolts. The chrome is rusted out on top of the curved end, where you would be able to see it and inside the actual pivot bolt hole. What is the best way to clean up the rust on top of the bars and in the pivot holes, without taking the bars off and having them re-chromed?
Any ideas??
Thanks for any help anyone can offer, I want to this thing done and get driving again.
Gene
I've been working on recovering the the seats with new leather skins, but found out about the rust problem on the lower frames that bolt down to the floor. The rear mounts were completely gone, I had to drill out the rivets and bolt on the new ones. Got the frames cleaned up pretty well and painted them. Had to lightly oil the rollers in the tracks, so that the seats will be adjustable now.
My problem now is that I have some pretty serious rust on the chrome bars that come down the sides of the seat backs and connect to the bottom frame with the pivot bolts. The chrome is rusted out on top of the curved end, where you would be able to see it and inside the actual pivot bolt hole. What is the best way to clean up the rust on top of the bars and in the pivot holes, without taking the bars off and having them re-chromed?
Any ideas??
Thanks for any help anyone can offer, I want to this thing done and get driving again.
Gene
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Plano TX
Re: Rusty Chrome Seat Hinges (82dukman)
I'll try to let you know how it comes out....
Thanks again.
[Modified by Plano69, 7:31 AM 10/2/2002]
[Modified by Plano69, 7:32 AM 10/2/2002]
[Modified by Plano69, 7:33 AM 10/2/2002]
Thanks again.
[Modified by Plano69, 7:31 AM 10/2/2002]
[Modified by Plano69, 7:32 AM 10/2/2002]
[Modified by Plano69, 7:33 AM 10/2/2002]
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Plano TX
Re: Rusty Chrome Seat Hinges (ROD NOCK)
That sounds like a great idea. What about the area where I'll probably knock off the chrome plating down to the metal, just go ahead and polish it anyway? :confused:
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Plano TX
Re: Rusty Chrome Seat Hinges (82dukman)
A "light" touch, eh? Just work the steel wool across the top of the rough stuff and then take out the rest of the rust with the polish. I think I've got a good feel for it.
Didn't get the polish last night, too many things to do around here....
Didn't get the polish last night, too many things to do around here....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: Rusty Chrome Seat Hinges (Plano69)
A kitchen scrubby sponge will work wonders on the rough stuff.
Steel wool can (and will) scratch the chrome plating.
Make sure you get the kind that are SAFE for non-stick pans.
Do NOT get the ones that are green scotchbright. The one you want is
usually blue or white. You'll be able to scrub to your hearts content with
one of these. Then polish 'em up.
:seeya
Steel wool can (and will) scratch the chrome plating.
Make sure you get the kind that are SAFE for non-stick pans.
Do NOT get the ones that are green scotchbright. The one you want is
usually blue or white. You'll be able to scrub to your hearts content with
one of these. Then polish 'em up.
:seeya
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 541
Likes: 5
From: Epping NH
Re: Rusty Chrome Seat Hinges (Plano69)
Although my problem is not as serious as yours sounds, my 69 also has a lot of rust on the chrome bars on the passenger side. Although you can replace the parts ($$$$ ouch), I have decided to have mine rechromed when I send my bumpers off this winter. The pitting is very deep and gritty. Even if I were able to get the rust off, I'm not sure they would look so great.
By the way, my vinyl seat covers are in terrible condition and I will be having them refoamed and covered. Since the seats will be apart anyway, this is a good opportunity to send the chrome out.
Mark
By the way, my vinyl seat covers are in terrible condition and I will be having them refoamed and covered. Since the seats will be apart anyway, this is a good opportunity to send the chrome out.
Mark
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Plano TX
Re: Rusty Chrome Seat Hinges (Daves_rusty_75)
Thanks for the tip Dave, I'll give that a try too.
You sound like you've been through the "rust thing", I appreciate your experience and advice.
Gene
You sound like you've been through the "rust thing", I appreciate your experience and advice.
Gene
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Plano TX
Re: Rusty Chrome Seat Hinges (Burgandy 69)
I was thinking about re-chroming, but with all the delays I've had so far with the new skins, I decided to hold off on that until next winter or later. I might get something to cover it up, even if it's temporary....
Let me know how your seat covers come out.
Gene
Let me know how your seat covers come out.
Gene
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: wellington N Zealand
Re: Rusty Chrome Seat Hinges (Plano69)
If you want this repair to last your only option is to get the parts dipped and then rechromed. All the other options will just mask the problem and really dont look that good.
Remember "Do it once and do it right" :cool: :cool: :cool:
Remember "Do it once and do it right" :cool: :cool: :cool:
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Plano TX
Re: Rusty Chrome Seat Hinges (tippi58)
I appreciate your advice tippi- I'll probably take the seats back out next winter (maybe this winter if all goes well and the budget holds up) and do the right thing by rechroming. The rust has broken through to the metal in several large (1/2" x 1/4") areas and looks pretty bad. Going through another set of hog rings to take the seat covers off and putting them back on again after the rechroming won't cost much.
For now, I've gotta get back into the cockpit or some serious catching up on driving while the weather is still nice. I still need to install my new inside door panels and carpet this winter, so I might not get to the rechroming very soon. Anyone have an idea of rechroming costs??
For now, I've gotta get back into the cockpit or some serious catching up on driving while the weather is still nice. I still need to install my new inside door panels and carpet this winter, so I might not get to the rechroming very soon. Anyone have an idea of rechroming costs??