Drive Shaft Restoration

[69Z28freak]

I am looking to get the original finish on my drive shaft, but I have never seen a picture of what a new one would look like. Does anyone have a picture of a new drive shaft or a drive shaft that is restored to factory specs. I have sen several versions of restored drive shafts, but would like to know which is correct.

My Team Camaro Thread

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=219126

[william]

Tough to impossible if it is badly rusted. Drive shafts were not coated in any way; new they had an appearance very similar to exhaust tubing. They were marked with stripes denoting balance and application but there is no factory documentation on color/position. Got rusty fairly quickly.

Simplest way to restore it? Have a new tube installed. Painting a rusted 'shaft silver doesn't get the job done.

[Mike S]

Simplest way to restore it? Have a new tube installed. Painting a rusted 'shaft silver doesn't get the job done.

 I agree...this is how I had the one restored on my 67 ragtop. The original tube had a ding in it when it dropped one day racing that caused a slight vibration in the stick. Once I got the restored shaft I gave it a coat of Imron clear and once installed the vibration was completely gone and it looked good and correct once the stripes were added back.
   Besides, when it is under the car, who really studies the shaft in detail outside for looking for stripes unless you are going for a 1000 point event.

Mike

[69Z28freak]

I decided to try an experiment and use a mild wire wheel on the drive shaft to see how it would turn out. I tried a small spot and liked the result so I did the whole drive shaft. It only took a few minutes at very light pressure. I may take some fine steel wool to finish it off. I may also clear it. Blasting it would give it a much duller finish.

[Mike S]

 That looks pretty darn good. If that were mine I'd go with it.


Mike

[69Z28-RS]

I agree with Mike.  it does look good, probably as good as possible, and I would also protect it.  with satin clear or ??..      *S*

[69Z28freak]

I agree with Mike.  it does look good, probably as good as possible, and I would also protect it.  with satin clear or ??..      *S*

Hey Gary that is what I was thinking. I am going to look into some clear products as I am also thinking of spray some of the other bare metal parts like the centre link parts of the tie rods and steering parts as well. Perhaps power steering pump as well. I want to maintain the restored look and want to avoid the bare metal parts from rusting. Master cylinder as well possibly. However I am also told that master cylinders cam in black gloss as well from the factory. Boeshield or RPM is also an option, but it would take regular maintenance for upkeep to ensure that rust does not develop, and on bare metal it does not take much to begin the process from starting.

[Paul68RS/Z28]

Tons of info on here from members.

http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=7861.0

[william]

A non-abrasive method of rust removal is to use a length of plastic pipe. Cap one end, drop the driveshaft in. Fill with de-rusting solution, cap. A few days later, as clean as can be.

I believe that was how the '72 Trans-Am resto drive shaft got done on the SYC site. Wire wheeling won't get all the pitting and may destroy what is left of the factory markings.

[69Z28-RS]

so NOW ya tell us..    ..

Thanks...

[69Z28freak]

A non-abrasive method of rust removal is to use a length of plastic pipe. Cap one end, drop the driveshaft in. Fill with de-rusting solution, cap. A few days later, as clean as can be.

I believe that was how the '72 Trans-Am resto drive shaft got done on the SYC site. Wire wheeling won't get all the pitting and may destroy what is left of the factory markings.

Hey William that is how I removed the rust from drive shaft with Evaporust. Then I used the wheel to minimize the pitting. How far off is my finish?

[Mike S]

A non-abrasive method of rust removal is to use a length of plastic pipe. Cap one end, drop the driveshaft in. Fill with de-rusting solution, cap. A few days later, as clean as can be.

Gesh...I use that method for restoring antique gun barrels prior to parkerizing. I never thought of using it on something like this!

Mike

[william]

A non-abrasive method of rust removal is to use a length of plastic pipe. Cap one end, drop the driveshaft in. Fill with de-rusting solution, cap. A few days later, as clean as can be.

I believe that was how the '72 Trans-Am resto drive shaft got done on the SYC site. Wire wheeling won't get all the pitting and may destroy what is left of the factory markings.

Hey William that is how I removed the rust from drive shaft with Evaporust. Then I used the wheel to minimize the pitting. How far off is my finish?

Not bad-you can see where the factory stripes were and that is the original finish. For a driver I'd use it.

[69Z28freak]

A non-abrasive method of rust removal is to use a length of plastic pipe. Cap one end, drop the driveshaft in. Fill with de-rusting solution, cap. A few days later, as clean as can be.

I believe that was how the '72 Trans-Am resto drive shaft got done on the SYC site. Wire wheeling won't get all the pitting and may destroy what is left of the factory markings.

Hey William that is how I removed the rust from drive shaft with Evaporust. Then I used the wheel to minimize the pitting. How far off is my finish?

Not bad-you can see where the factory stripes were and that is the original finish. For a driver I'd use it.

Thanks William. I was planning to put the stripes back on. Do you know what color I should use? Then I was thinking of clearing the drive shaft with a satin finish. Would that be acceptable for a driver?

[69Z28freak]

Here are a few more pics of the drive shaft.