Steering Box/ tie rod color

Discussion in 'Chassis restoration' started by SS/GN, Jun 11, 2019.

  1. SS/GN

    SS/GN Well-Known Member

    What colour was the steering box, tie rods and center link on the 68-72 GS? I did a search and found everything else. Thanks in advance,
     
  2. scubasteve455

    scubasteve455 Well-Known Member

    All you are doing is picking a Grey metallic that you think resembles cast metal.
    if the Paint you choose is basecoat. be sure to clearcoat with flat clear.
    If you are mixing a Single Stage paint be sure it has flatting base additive.
    Believe me everyone’s is a little different.
     
  3. scubasteve455

    scubasteve455 Well-Known Member

    The top servicing lid Should not be painted.
     
  4. copperheadgs1

    copperheadgs1 copperheadgs1

    I believe that steering box cover is semi polished aluminum. Assembly manual specified that front suspension and steering parts were sprayed black on the assembly line as well as the rear. They were not neat.
     
  5. scubasteve455

    scubasteve455 Well-Known Member

  6. scubasteve455

    scubasteve455 Well-Known Member

    Kevin there ain’t no way i’m painting that whole front end black. Just sayin.
     
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  7. BrianTrick

    BrianTrick Brian Trick

    Everything was shot with black to sit on the dealer lots and not show rusting bare metal.
    They were not building show cars back then.
    I would not shoot everything black either. I like detail.
     
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  8. SS/GN

    SS/GN Well-Known Member

    The cast paint I have tried does not look good to me. ( Duplicolor cast) I was leaning towards the black but not sure after reading this either. On my GN I went black with the top plate natural as that's the way they came. Thanks for the input guys. What brand of paint are you using?
     
  9. Sting2

    Sting2 Well-Known Member

    I have restored steering boxes in the past to get down to bare metal then good coats of matte or dull clear. Steering box would be natural cast iron, aluminum cover. Shaft that comes down to pittman arm seems to be copper. Bolts for the cover are black oxide or phospate
     

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  10. scubasteve455

    scubasteve455 Well-Known Member

    Sting2 Yes but i know
    some people say. That metal always creates moisture and rusts under clear down the road. It has happened to me.
     
  11. scubasteve455

    scubasteve455 Well-Known Member

    because it is so porous
     
  12. scubasteve455

    scubasteve455 Well-Known Member

    But those look exceptional. Very nice
     
  13. Redmanf1

    Redmanf1 Gold Level Contributor

    This has happened to me also...

     
  14. hugger

    hugger Well-Known Member

    Yea just clear doesn't work,..I still do it often because to be honest I dont mind a little surface rust peeking thru,...kinda makes it look more original,...yes I'm weird
     
  15. BrianTrick

    BrianTrick Brian Trick

    I have also tried only clear,and it rusted. It never even got a chance to leave the garage.
     
  16. 1970 STAGE 1

    1970 STAGE 1 Well-Known Member

  17. 1970 STAGE 1

    1970 STAGE 1 Well-Known Member

  18. 1970 STAGE 1

    1970 STAGE 1 Well-Known Member

    The end cap looks to be galvanized. The cover is natural aluminum. The body is cast. This box is on a 1970 car. Never touched by any one but Leeds.
     
  19. copperheadgs1

    copperheadgs1 copperheadgs1

    You can see remnants of the yellow oval decal still. They had two letter codes on them don’t you know!
     
  20. copperheadgs1

    copperheadgs1 copperheadgs1

    Also very cool how the Saginaw S looks like a winding road. 70 had the S on the cover. By 71 no S on the cover. It was moved to the cast box.
     
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