What have you guys done to give a good appearance to your driveshaft while protecting it? I just had mine blasted and need to do something quick as it will rust up fast. The blasted appearance doesn't have that metal grey appearance like you would expect from the tube stock it was originally created from. It has a brighter finish. I'm thinking of spraying it with a metal finish grey paint, then having it balanced. Anybody have any suggestions? Pics more than welcome, of course.
I am facing the same thing. Did you see the article in MCE? After replacing the purple and black stripes I am clear coating.
I will have to find it but the shop that did the shafts was in Co. They were turned with a pad something like a scotch brite to bring out the luster, then the stripes and clear coat.
John Diaz replied to the same question here: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=76035 I hope he recovers from the flood damage.... Sandblasting is a great way to clean metal, but it does change the surface texture and color. It looks very 'white' after balsting. Clearing over a sandblasted surface won't give a natural look. Glass beading gives a smoother finish but it's very bright, and has some shine to it. It might look too nice! I usually sand a sandblasted surface to smooth it out using a DA sander. If you use a fine grit paper, you might get the finish you are looking for. Then as Jim said, scotch brite will clean it up even more, so it can be cleared, or treated. August Hemmings MM mag article (the CJ Mustang 'vert) mentioned a metal preservative...Carwell CP90, and details the drive shaft resto. Another preservative, Gibbs, was mentioned here.. http://www.roadsters.com/gibbs/ popular with Hot Rodders. Here's the POR-15 'Metal Mask' paint I used on my rear: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=78125 It's a nice paint, but it has a silver-bluish color. Looks better as a steel finish than as a cast iron look. I'm still undecided.... I'll probably just paint it. I'm waiting for you guys to come up with the best solution, so I can copy it! :grin:
There was long thread from a while back about driveshafts but it apparently got lost in the last crash. We have used these folks for driveshaft restoration: http://www.quantaproducts.com/products.asp?dept=733 We sent the driveshaft after we sandblasted it.
after After looking through my digital pictures I can't believe I can't find a picture of just the driveshaft. Part of it is visible in this picture.
:eek2: Wow! Gary, That looks incredible!...I think you just raised the standard for all of us! I don't know whether to give you a :TU: , or a :rant: for that! :grin: :grin: I checked the website, it's about $150 for the service. They mentioned a product called Prelube 6, used as a preservative.....that might be just the ticket for protective misc hardware on the car....nuts, bolts, cables, etc!
For mine I polished the driveshaft up with scotchbrite pads on a die grinder, then a light clearcoat over that. it might be too shiny for some people but it does look very good. Webpage has pics: http://members.shaw.ca/orangecrush/driveline.html Also, put the stripes on by rotating wheels and holding bruch up to the shaft so you get the sloppy look, as per original. Just another option. later Tim
Gary/Tim- Both look good! Thanks for the response. I may try doing what you did, Time, and see what the effort/result factor looks like. If it is too much of a PITA, I may go the Gary route. Thanks again! :TU: PS- Looked at your website, Tim. Car looks great and the write up is valuable to those of us doing the same thing. :beer
Hi Ken, I think what Gary did may be more correct for the super serious guys, but for time/effort/price it all depends on what you want. Just be real light with the clear, just want protection, try not to add any weight....I've done it before and it lasted years (until i sold the car). Even better would be to get an aluminum driveshaft made up, save some weight!! As I mentioned, just giving some options. later Tim
