Can the matte black of ye ol' Ashtabula be restored? Or am I stuck with a can of flat black spray paint? :-(

Yes it can...

Black Oxide is a conversion coating formed by a chemical reaction produced when parts are immersed in the alkaline aqueous salt solution operated at approximately 285 degrees F. The reaction between the iron of the ferrous alloy and the hot oxide bath produces a magnitite (Fe3 O4) on the actual surface of the part.

http://www.swdinc.com/black_oxide.html

http://www.finishing.com/faqs/blackoxide.html

http://www.dulite.com/faq.html

http://www.mmsonline.com/articles/0597bp4.html

[ June 23, 2004, 10:51 PM: Message edited by: Bill Curtin ]

my homeshop method, rub it down good with steel wool, lay down a healthy coating of WD-40...looks pretty much the same once it dries...

next caller please....

[ June 24, 2004, 12:13 AM: Message edited by: Randy ]

Randy you got the cure for all things restored man...Are you avoiding me or are you not getting my e-mails buddy

Hummm, let's see.....

Scientist Bill Curtin specifies the correct method for rejuvinating my Ashtabula cranks. His method is extremely dangerous, a bit complicated, and a lot of trouble.

Randy's method seems user friendly, yet inauthentic.

But I'm lazy and scared, so I'm going to try Randy's trick first :-)

Thanks guys!

Dr. Frankenstien with a Park stand for my table...

Which email? Yellow Torker pad? Gotcha covered.

i rub a little used motor oil on my stuff. it lasts a bit longer than wd-40. i have only used it on small stuff such as stem bolts, so no guaranties.

On 2nd thought, Phil's mention of motor oil rings a bell, I've done that too, looks better.

Eastwood Company sells a relatively inexpensive kit for metal blackening. www.eastwood.com

metal blackening kit

Bill's got it right. I've done the same with iron motorcycle cylinders.

Many platers will do black oxide and I don't know if I should take your comment as a joke or you just being a smart %^&%k ???

You asked about restoring, not quick fix.

Just follow the simple procedure with the kit from the Eastwood Company. It's the same process as Bill described without all the complexity. I have use this process several times in my shop on muscle car restorations with great success!!!!!

quote:

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Many platers will do black oxide and I don't know if I should take your comment as a joke or you just being a smart %^&%k ???

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Hey Bill, I shoulda used a ;-) I was just joking around, I'm not a smart %^&%k. And Thanks for the info. Perhaps I'll seek professional help, as the WD-40 wasn't to my satisfaction.

:-)