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Old 07-17-2016, 07:58 PM   #1
Special Coupe Frank
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Default Darkening original engine bolts...

I searched the Forum earlier today, looking for info about recreating the blackish, "Raven" finish on original engine bolts.

Let me say that I am NOT building a "points car", but would like to come close to correct appearance.

I saw some comments about cleaning the bolts ( de-grease, wire-brush ), heating with a torch, then dunking in used motor-oil.

Can someone suggest a temperature to heat the bolts to if I were to heat the bolts in a pan, say in the oven or gas-grille (don't tell my wife!) ?

It would be a lot more expedient ( and controlled ) to heat a batch of bolts in a controlled manner than for me to do one at time in a flame...

Thanks !

Frank
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Old 07-17-2016, 09:29 PM   #2
Tom Wesenberg
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Default Re: Darkening original engine bolts...

I use G-96 gun blueing to darken mine. It does a great job, and as soon as I finish with the blueing I use ATF to oil them and keep the rust away.

I never had luck with Birchwood-Casey, but a guy in our club has made some nice specialty Model A tooling and used BC to darken the parts, and they came out perfect. I must have had a bad jar of the liquid.
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Old 07-18-2016, 01:28 AM   #3
Mike V. Florida
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Default Re: Darkening original engine bolts...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Special Coupe Frank View Post
I searched the Forum earlier today, looking for info about recreating the blackish, "Raven" finish on original engine bolts.

Let me say that I am NOT building a "points car", but would like to come close to correct appearance.

I saw some comments about cleaning the bolts ( de-grease, wire-brush ), heating with a torch, then dunking in used motor-oil.

Can someone suggest a temperature to heat the bolts to if I were to heat the bolts in a pan, say in the oven or gas-grille (don't tell my wife!) ?

It would be a lot more expedient ( and controlled ) to heat a batch of bolts in a controlled manner than for me to do one at time in a flame...

Thanks !

Frank
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Old 07-18-2016, 07:54 AM   #4
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Default Re: Darkening original engine bolts...

I don't like the idea of heating bolts. Gun bluing works just fine IMHO.
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Old 07-18-2016, 05:16 PM   #5
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Default Re: Darkening original engine bolts...

here is the best to use
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Old 07-18-2016, 06:44 PM   #6
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Default Re: Darkening original engine bolts...

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If your not looking for high points judging just paint them it will hold up better.
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Old 07-18-2016, 08:56 PM   #7
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Default Re: Darkening original engine bolts...

The raven finish you are looking for is technically called black oxide. If you have a shop nearby that does heat treating and various types of metal plating and finishing they usual have the black oxide process. If you have a sizeable amount they might reprocess them for you. I have tried using naval jelly rust inhibitor which will turn bare steel to a matt black finish. I applied some to my antique tractor splined axle about 10 years ago and it still hasn't rusted.
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