Chris Bamford Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 I am assembling my 1947 Dodge engine after a rebuild and wish to make the frost plugs look as rusty as the rest of the block (the car is HPOF-certified and essentially unrestored and I want the rebuilt engine to look as though it has never been touched). My new frost plugs look hideous against the rust and remaining factory paint on the block. Photo shows two plugs sitting loose in the openings, the left one is sandblasted, the right one as new. Any suggestions for a quick way to get these plugs looking 65 years old? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bhigdog Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Blast any plating off then a lite smear of muriatic acid should do the trick.........Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stealthbob Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Park it outside my garage and wait 10 minutes.....But seriously here is another option that uses common items from the kitchen:Produce a Rich Rust Patina on Iron and Steel, Safely and Quickly, Using Common Household Chemicals Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bamford Posted January 31, 2012 Author Share Posted January 31, 2012 Thanks, Bobs, for your suggestions.The project is complete and I am pleased with the results — while the plugs don't particularly match the block colours, they look suitably old and like they've been in place for years. Installation was with Right Stuff sealant and a vigorous clobber dead center of the plug.I built on the basic procedure outlined in stealthbob's link... 1. Belt sander to remove cad plating; 2. Sandblast; 3. Vinegar etch (absolutely important, sandblasting was not enough); 4. Hydrogen Peroxide 3%. 5. A wee bit of gun blueing to darken a bit further. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Muriatic acid would have had the same effect plus it would have rusted every tool within 20 feet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jim_Edwards Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Muriatic acid would have had the same effect plus it would have rusted every tool within 20 feet.Including the exposed cylinder bores! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bhigdog Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Muriatic acid would have had the same effect plus it would have rusted every tool within 20 feet.Yup, pretty amazingly potent stuff. The bores would have been safe because they are oiled. They are oiled aren't they??????????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now