Brake Res take off ?

[428street]

Dan:

I've done a bunch of research and asked many people about this starting with Doug at ERA and down the line. Bottom line is there is no foolproof paint or system. I was told the metal is to thin for powder coating. ERA uses a two part epoxy process (which is what was on the cans) and that failed. Eastwood makes a paint specifically for brake fluid issues but it is not black. I was told DOT 5 fluid will work with no paint peeling but that is a project to change seals in the line of things in the system. I was also told that you can upgrade to DOT 5 without changing seals. Toss up on that one.

I bought the rubber seals that I think Patrick recommended and them seem like they will work fine. I believe the paint is less the issue if you can stop the tops from leaking.

After I blast the cans, I'm going to spray them with self etching primer then us a SEM paint (satin or semi-gloss) to paint the cans and go from there.

Open to any suggestions.

In my research I've also noticed on unrestored street cars that the brackets are black as well. I will be painting my unpainted straps black as well.

[DanEC]

Frank - I re-started the DOT 3/4 versus DOT 5 controversy sometime last summer. I would have preferred using DOT 5 also as I've had no trouble with it in my old Corvette for 20 years. But, the consensus of most (but not all) was that some of the seal materials used in the master cylinders and clutch slave cylinder have not held up with DOT 5. So I paid close attention to trying to tightly seal all the brake and clutch line components and went with DOT 5. I think you would be asking for trouble in trying to switch after several years since the old fluid has to be thoroughly flushed out.

I think you are right that the rubber seals may make the paint issue irrelevant.

Keep the posts coming. I can't keep pace with your strive for period correct details but I find them all facinating and adapt a good deal of them.

[428street]

Thanks Dan. I'll keep posting them as I am in winter project mode. Car is ripped apart.

Also working with Mickmate from Acton Custom to have him make me a radiator cover as close to the original as possible. ERA has one as well but it's not close to what the original one looked like. Also will have correct Serk tag with punch numbers in the plate.

This details are endless but that's what I enjoy to do.

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by 428street

In my research I've also noticed on unrestored street cars that the brackets are black as well. I will be painting my unpainted straps black as well.

Dang Frank - if you keep posting these original details I will never be able to get my car finished. I already have feelings or guilt and inferiority about the ones you've made me aware of and I haven't incorporated yet.

By the way, have you been discussing with Nick having an original style pusher engine fan fabricated? I told him I would be interested and thought you might be also. He said he had already heard from you.

Dan