Spark Plug Bluing?

[Guest c.johnson]

I met a guy who says he was "marked down" at an AACA show (I still don't know how he found out) because the spark plugs on his '26 Olds did not have bluing on them. <P>I suppose that bluing is on spark plugs for the same reason it is on guns, to make them last longer. When were spark plugs first blued? Is there a way to make old spark plugs "blued"?<P>cj

[D Binger]

Spark Plugs were blued for many years. Only in the 50 sometime did they start using cad plating. To blue the cad plated ones, wire brush the cad plating and then use gun blueing that comes in a tube from a gun shop.<BR>That works rather well.<P>Dan

[Guest]

Burning the cad plating with a propane torch before wire brushing makes the job easier and more thorough. Over time the cad burns off plugs from normal engine heat, so heating the plug with a torch will not hurt it. <P><B>BUT BE SURE NOT TO INHALE THE FUMES! THEY ARE POISONOUS!!</B><P>Cad plated plugs were first introduced for the 1956 model year.<P>A team captain is at liberty, and even encouraged, to tell an owner when a major deduction has been taken. At one point per plug, [with a maximum of 10 pts.] it can become major very quickly.<P>hvs

[ex98thdrill]

We got marked off for the same thing last year. A trick that we were told to do is to take a wide black felt tip marker over the expposed area before the show to give it that "blue" look.

[1937hd45]

I've always used the liquid gun bluing that I pick up at the local gun shop. Put a clean wire wheel on your bench grinder and clean up the bases. Place the plug base in the bluing one at a time and for the same amout of time so the color matches all the plugs. Dip in clean water, dry,I use a heat gun to dry them, then spray a coat of WD-40 on them. Back when my spark plug collecting was at the 600 different brands level, it was fun to totaly restore a dozen at a time. Some early plug bases were nickel plated, solid brass or aluminum, the Benford Golden Giant was even flash plated in gold.<p>[ 08-08-2002: Message edited by: 1937hd45 ]

[Restorer32]

As an AACA judge I can tell you that many points are lost at every show due to cad plated plugs before 1956 as well as incorrect hose clamps. Remember, any AACA member can get a Judging Manual and check these details. Plastic tire valve caps prior to 1951 are also cause for deduction.

[Jan Arnett]

I find that berad blasting a plug works better then a wire brush if avalibla. I also restore my old plugs this way.<BR>Thanks

[Guest c.johnson]

Thanks all. I never would have thought about coating the plugs. <BR>It really is attention to detail that makes the car. <P>cj