any way to restore brake and fuel line finish?

[another kurt s]

I am getting ready to install my original brake and fuel lines under my car but they are dull and some surface rust.  Is there any way to bring these to life?  Blasting? chemical washing? paint type product?  an illegal with a tooth brush?  I have used the search option but everything addresses the bolts and mounting clips, the mounting clips were really blue from the factory?

My gut feeling is to blast them with some type of media that will not "cut" them but more polish. 

[RamAirDave]

Unless you're set on keeping the origs, it's best to just buy new.

[another kurt s]

Trying to use every original part that I can, they are in great shape just dull.  Its amazing how many metal lines are under these cars, plus I have the dual fuel line Quadrajet.  Wondering if anyone has used glass beads or something similar thats not so abrasive.  I will have to look up some prices on brake line and fuel line kits.

[Hans L]

Have you tried metal polish and a polishing wheel?  Might make is too shiny, but should clean it up.   I've seen other trim components clean-up real well using metal polish.

I would not glas bead or blast them - it will leave a dull, incorrect finish is my guess, though you could always try a small section to see what happens.

[another kurt s]

Some of the brake lines have the wire surrounding them, I would think this would need blasted.  I did blast some of my emergency brake cable and it came out looking good, maybe not the way it left the factory but looks fresh to me.  Just trying to keep my original parts and not replace good stuff with china crap.

[Sauron327]

Not all brake lines are made in China; there are suppliers on this dirt. Origional lines resist corrosion, but are not corrosion proof obviously. After they are prepared with whatever menthod you choose, they will be more susceptable to rust. So a a dry environment or a protective coating is required to maintain an acceptable appearance.

[RamAirDave]

I don't think you can recreate the factory finish, but you can clean them up to look good.  Clean all the rust off (wire wheel or blast), then bring back some of the finish with some sanding followed with a scotch brite or steel wool.  Can even polish from there if you wanna go with that look.

Problem is keeping them looking good.

[rsr]

I'd say unless you paint/coat them you'll be busy keeping the rust off.Some very good American made products are out there!!You can spend you time polishing the paint instead of the lines!! good luck!

[GaryL]

The lines can be rusty inside and still look OK outside, especially brake lines. I would go new. They are very high quality.