draglink restoration

[john302]

Wasnt there a thread on restoring the steering draglink? thanks

[Mike S]

 Restoring as in appearance or physical wear? For appearance I remember reading here the finish being somewhat darker. I believe gun blue was used to duplicate the dark finish. I *think* it was D. Cook who said his '68 looked blued on his Green Machine. I did mine using gun blue and cotton balls and you can control the darkness based on how long you leave the solution on. 
See this....reply #7:
http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=10859.msg83987#msg83987


Mike

[R68GTO]

There's a thread over on Team Camaro called the Brooklyn Z....Warren has done a meticulous job documenting the restoration of his Z.  He covers the drag link in that thread - I use his thread for reference continually for my car.

[68camaroz28]

There's a thread over on Team Camaro called the Brooklyn Z....Warren has done a meticulous job documenting the restoration of his Z.  He covers the drag link in that thread - I use his thread for reference continually for my car.

Think your referencing Lloyd's thread.
Yes, gun blue it and from my build thread years ago.
https://www.camaros.net/threads/time-for-another-68-z-28-to-be-restored.182584/page-11#post-1533428

[68camaroz28]

Lots of info indexed for u here with table of contents.
http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=18398.0

[janobyte]

Ditto on the gun blue. Per 68Z build thread.
Also used it on driveshaft/yoke welds, and as touch up on dark phosphate fasteners. The little bottle goes a long way.

My first trial I had some flash corrosion appear, took about five minutes to redo, then wiped it down with rem gun oil, no corrosion, and it has been a few years. Humidity was probably the factor.

[Edgemontvillage]

The bluing process can be either a hot or cold process. If your drag /center link is in good shape and  the original factory bluing is present you can probably use cold bluing to touch it up with good results however if not you might consider hot bluing which is the process I followed for the center link on my 69 RS/Z restoration (Brooklyn Project). Hot bluing involves removing the original bluing entirely and re-applying it as GM's supplier would have. The hot bluing process is described starting on Page 17, Post #338 on my build thread over on TC ( https://www.camaros.net/threads/1969-camaro-rs-z-28-brooklyn-project.337897/page-17 ). If you need more information let me know. Lloyd (..also known to Jim R8GTO as Warren)

[BillOhio]

I need to redo mine sometime.  I used the cold gun blue and it is now a brown color.  I am not sure what went wrong but it never looked right.  Maybe I had the flash rust problem Janobyte mentioned

[john302]

Great info !Thanks

[R68GTO]

The bluing process can be either a hot or cold process. If your drag /center link is in good shape and  the original factory bluing is present you can probably use cold bluing to touch it up with good results however if not you might consider hot bluing which is the process I followed for the center link on my 69 RS/Z restoration (Brooklyn Project). Hot bluing involves removing the original bluing entirely and re-applying it as GM's supplier would have. The hot bluing process is described starting on Page 17, Post #338 on my build thread over on TC ( https://www.camaros.net/threads/1969-camaro-rs-z-28-brooklyn-project.337897/page-17 ). If you need more information let me know. Lloyd (..also known to Jim R8GTO as Warren)

Yeah, sorry 'bout that....got my experts mixed up!

[68camaroz28]

Do not disagree with Lloyd as hot bluing is the best but I've completed three using cold bluing with excellent results. One thing some may be missing is after cold bluing process one has to neutralize the chemical process. The one on our 68z was done six or seven years ago and looks the same as first completed. So easy to complete and if you don't like it nothing hurt. I soft wire brushed the entire surface after a complete cleaning and then more cleaning afterwards prior to applying two coats of bluing paste. Lots of info on cold bluing found on weapon websites. Easy and very cheap.....

[john302]

Going to blue it. Does paint stick to the blued surface? the inspection marks will be painted then after it dries I will oil the surface.

[68camaroz28]

Going to blue it. Does paint stick to the blued surface? the inspection marks will be painted then after it dries I will oil the surface.

yes