Michael Knight

iTrader: (1)

So as I am pulling the gas tank and fuel lines out of my firebird, I notice that the brackets that are holding the lines to the body are not painted black but are either GM corporate blue or Pontiac blue. Can anyone confirm if this is correct? I scraped one of them and there was no other color underneath the blue.

eseibel67

Yes they are blue.

Michael Knight

iTrader: (1)

Thanks. From all of the pics of firebirds from 1982-88 all of them are painted black. Just wanted to make sure it was correct before I paint them. Thanks!

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

Here are some I repainted. Its a lil more gloss than factory but color is dang close

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

Anybody have a suggestion for what blue paint is the best match? The original color seems to be a lighter shade of blue than what it appears TTop350 used, though that could be due to variations in camera exposures, etc.

okfoz

hmm, I thought mine were black & some were silver.. it may depend on what supplier they came from...

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

Mine were definitely blue, and being the **** retentive doofus that I am, I want to keep them that way despite having a very non-stock car.

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

I found a Krylon color at Home Depot that was pretty close when I repainted the bolts that hold the AC box together. Mine were painted the same blue. I will get the name but I am away for a few days.

82RZ

Gents,

If you look closely at a unmolested bracket I think you'll see that they were NOT painted from the factory. Instead, they had a Chromate conversion coating applied to prevent them from turning into Red Rust in no time.

This topic has been debated for years with the 1stgen Camaro and Vette guys. In general, they agree the 'plating' is Chromate which is available in a wide range of colors including blue, green, silver, black, grey and clear.

Poke here: http://heatbath.com/metal-finishing-...s/chromate-com

82RZ

Ops...my bad.

When the website opens, click on 'Metal Finishing Products' and roll down to 'Chromate Conversion Coatings'.

eseibel67

Without checking too closely, my guess was that were painted blue.

But this ^ story makes sense. I'll buy it.

82RZ

OK, try this easy to do experiment at home:

1. With a sharp knife, scrape the paint off one that HAS been painted. You'll get a small amount of dried paint, whatever color, which you can roll around between your fingers.

2. On a unmolested bracket, do the same knife scrape. If you're lucky, you'll get a minute amount of 'Dust' which you can Not roll around between your fingers. This is the Chromate Coating.

Chromate is very similar to Zinc Phosphate which GM used on parts like hood hinges, hood latches and some suspension parts.

The purpose of these 'Hot Process' coatings are all the same: Namely, to prevent the part from prematurely rusting.

Thru my many years of 'messing' with F-Bodies, I have and currently do Zinc Phosphating at home. I am NOT trying to advertise here, but I will phosphate small parts for a small amount of $$, enough to cover my cost.

Feel free to PM me if anyone is interested.

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

I didn't try scraping it, but some brake cleaner on a rag was able to dissolve enough to transfer some blue to the rag

82RZ

Yes, and that blue on the rag is the Chromate Coating.

It sure is Not Paint.

Your thoughts Jim?