ConcoursMustang Forums

1st Generation 1964 1/2 - 1973 - Questions & general discussions that apply to a specific year => 1971 - 1973 => Topic started by: mach1er-rob on December 14, 2012, 03:25:36 PM

Title: Upper front shock bracket finish
Post by: mach1er-rob on December 14, 2012, 03:25:36 PM

     I understand the finish should be natural which I assume is phospate and oil.  I refinished the ones for my 71 with manganese phosphate and they look darker than what I see in photos of other cars.  Should they be dark, light or anywhere in between? 

Title: Re: Upper front shock bracket finish
Post by: J_Speegle on December 14, 2012, 11:33:50 PM

Quote from: mach1er-rob on December 14, 2012, 03:25:36 PM

     I understand the finish should be natural which I assume is phospate and oil.  I refinished the ones for my 71 with manganese phosphate and they look darker than what I see in photos of other cars.

Guessing these "other cars" are restored ones ;)

Quote from: mach1er-rob on December 14, 2012, 03:25:36 PM

Should they be dark, light or anywhere in between?

Hard to tell with out seeing what you ended up with since every batch can be different and Mag base Phosphate can come out very dark. Have seen plenty of redone ones in zinc phosphate that were too light IMHO

My description would be a medium tot medium dark is what I look for.

Will take some pictures of ones I just did on my 71 if I can find my camera :(

Title: Re: Upper front shock bracket finish
Post by: mach1er-rob on December 17, 2012, 08:09:22 AM

     I blasted the parts and cooked the parts in a heated solution of manganese phosphate for 7 min.  Should I be able to get a lighter finish using the same process with phosphoric acid instead of manganese phosphate? 

Title: Re: Upper front shock bracket finish
Post by: J_Speegle on December 17, 2012, 07:43:56 PM

Have never used acid so I can't offer an opinion on that process or its effects


Here are some shots (please ignore the hardware ;) of how mine turned out - flash and no flash ;)


(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f49/firetrainer/71%20Cj%20Cougar/71Shktwrcapwithflash_zps83f6a4ea.jpg)

(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f49/firetrainer/71%20Cj%20Cougar/71Shktwrcapnooflash_zpse17be0ce.jpg)

Title: Re: Upper front shock bracket finish
Post by: jwc66k on December 17, 2012, 09:04:39 PM

Quote from: mach1er-rob on December 17, 2012, 08:09:22 AM

     I blasted the parts and cooked the parts in a heated solution of manganese phosphate for 7 min.  Should I be able to get a lighter finish using the same process with phosphoric acid instead of manganese phosphate?

I "cook" my parts at 185F degrees minimum but for only 2 to 3 minutes. Apply a heavy coating of oil as a final step. The picture is what I got for a pair of 64-66 V8 non p/s center links I did last year using a magnesium phosphate bath. What I've found is that over time they will darken a bit.
Jim

Title: Re: Upper front shock bracket finish
Post by: mach1er-rob on December 18, 2012, 08:24:14 AM

     Thanks for the help.  I will try cooking the parts for for 2-3 min and see if they come out lighter.  Jeff, did you use zinc phosphate on your brackets?   

Title: Re: Upper front shock bracket finish
Post by: J_Speegle on December 18, 2012, 08:10:37 PM

Quote from: mach1er-rob on December 18, 2012, 08:24:14 AM

......................Jeff, did you use zinc phosphate on your brackets?

Yes