What Media to Restore Finish on 440 AVS?
#1541947
11/30/13 07:30 PM
11/30/13 07:30 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,204 Fort Worth, TX
Clair_Davis
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Fort Worth, TX
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I'm going to start the rebuild / resto process on the AVS original to my 68 Sport Fury 440 HP. The carb is all there and intact, but looks every bit of it's 45 years old. I'd like to blast the exterior of the carb to brighten the finish to a fresh OEM appearance, but I don't know if that's the right way to go about it. Or what material to use if it is the right method. I'm guessing something not very aggressive, so I've got some walnut shells and some plastic media available.
So, is a mild media blast the right choice, or should I be looking at something else like a chemical etch?
Thanks,
Clair
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Re: What Media to Restore Finish on 440 AVS?
[Re: 71birdJ68]
#1541949
11/30/13 11:44 PM
11/30/13 11:44 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,436 Blair County,PA
62maxwgn
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Quote:
Once you blast it, it can't be un blasted. Sorry about yelling.
Oh yes it can !!
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Re: What Media to Restore Finish on 440 AVS?
[Re: Clair_Davis]
#1541953
12/01/13 11:56 AM
12/01/13 11:56 AM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,453 Morristown Tn.
71birdJ68
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I made my statement on what the OP said. He wanted a nice OEM appearance. Once you blast it, that goes out the window, yes you can make it look good, but OEM is gone.I used to do motorcycle heads all the time, but if I ever wanted to truly restore one, and it had been blasted, it was a dead hunk of metal. One other thing, after being blasted, when you touch it with anything but a clean hand, it will hold the dirt or whatever was on your hand.
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Re: What Media to Restore Finish on 440 AVS?
[Re: 71birdJ68]
#1541954
12/02/13 01:50 AM
12/02/13 01:50 AM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,204 Fort Worth, TX
Clair_Davis
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Well, I guess this is what I was hoping to find out. About as close as I've seen to original, untouched OEM finish is on a box-stock 9000-series TQ I bought at a swap meet, and a couple of AFB's that my Dad bought over the counter many, many moons ago. As far as I can tell, the finish is probably the sand cast (or whatever the molds were) finish of bare aluminum. If the carbs were treated with something afterwards, I couldn't tell you what it was or what it looked like.
What I don't want to end up with is the everything-is-the-same-color-silver bead-blasted look that you sometimes see. All of the hardware that can be removed will be, but if ANY blasting is going to have a similar effect, then that's out. I just figured that since the plastic media and the walnut shells were pretty big and relatively mild, they might be an option.
I've seen some of Scott's work, and I would love to farm this out to Scott, but that's a level of detail that I need to save for a later day. I want to do as much of this myself as I can, but I don't want to ruin the potential for a real restoration later.
Thanks!
Clair
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Re: What Media to Restore Finish on 440 AVS?
[Re: Clair_Davis]
#1541956
12/02/13 06:41 AM
12/02/13 06:41 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,468 So Cal
autoxcuda
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So Cal
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Quote:
....
What I don't want to end up with is the everything-is-the-same-color-silver bead-blasted look that you sometimes see. All of the hardware that can be removed will be, but if ANY blasting is going to have a similar effect, then that's out. I just figured that since the plastic media and the walnut shells were pretty big and relatively mild, they might be an option.
...
I think I'd start with Walnut shells with low pressure. Try it on a test carb first.
There's a guy around here that gets them looking really nice and he doesn't plate them. They don't look as good or "pop" as fresh plated ones do. Matters a lot how nice and not weathered the original beginning carb is.
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Re: What Media to Restore Finish on 440 AVS?
[Re: autoxcuda]
#1541957
12/02/13 10:35 AM
12/02/13 10:35 AM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 15,118 85086
moparpollack
Lil Herman
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Lil Herman
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 15,118
85086
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Try aluminum wheel cleaner. I think what would be nice is for the hobbyist to say did this way instead I gave up and sent it to the professional guy.
56 Plaza 63 D100 step side 67 Coronet, 68 Roadrunner, 69 Super Bees, 69 Coronet 500 convertible, 70 Roadrunner Post, 79 D150 360, and a severe case of Mopar a,d,d
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Re: What Media to Restore Finish on 440 AVS?
[Re: autoxcuda]
#1541961
12/05/13 01:21 AM
12/05/13 01:21 AM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,204 Fort Worth, TX
Clair_Davis
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Well, it looks like I ought to give a few of these options a try. That way at least I could report on some results for all to see. I've got some bare aluminum wheel cleaner that has done a great job on my wheels, and I figure it would work OK on the carb body, too.
The wood bleach - oxalic acid - would probably work great, too. It's one of the chemicals I use in a watch movement cleaning solution that brightens the brass & steel parts. May try it in the Barkeeper's Friend formula, too, it has a very mild abrasive content.
I think pretty much all of the steel on the carb will need to be replated eventually, but I'll see how that cleans up, too.
More to follow,
Clair
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Re: What Media to Restore Finish on 440 AVS?
[Re: Clair_Davis]
#1541963
12/05/13 10:42 PM
12/05/13 10:42 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,314 Prospect, PA
BSB67
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Prospect, PA
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Pontoon cleaner, bathroom scum & iron removal chemicals (e.g. The Works), or vinegar. These are all acids, listed from strongest to weakest. They will take some time, and you'll need to work it with small, short stiff brushes and probably a few applications, but should turn out pretty good.
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