Proper finish for rear axle hub...

[Iciclehead]

Gentlemen and ladies,

Just doing a bunch of plating for my 6 speed Carrera, got to the rear axle hubs, did some bead blasting and now they look a whole lot like these...



Question is, what is the most durable thing to do in terms of refinishing?

The options are:

1. Wurth zinc spray (cheap, I have it, it has shown itself to be quite durable but thin and easily scratched)

2. Good coat of Sikkens epoxy (not on bearing surfaces of course, worry about rust at the edges of that)

3. Powder coating (same concerns as epoxy, but more expensive for sure)

4. Zinc dichromate plating (yellow zinc)

Any thoughts/examples/BTDT to share? Aesthetics are not the most critical item other than I hate the rusty look....

Thanks

Dennis

[Tidybuoy]

One option would be Gibb's Brand Oil. I've used it and have very good results with keeping the natural finish. It's definitely one of the easiest options.

Gibbs Brand penetrant

[Iciclehead]

Hmm...hadn't thought of Gibbs, I have some as well. Does it really keep the natural silvery finish (rust free) over time, even when it is getting all the road grime/water over it? It IS easy to do for sure and might be an adjunct to a paint solution perhaps?

Thanks again,

Dennis

[KTL]

Use the zinc spray and then heat it up. It "hardens" when heated and won't be so easy to scratch off. I've used it on mufflers & brake rotors and once warmed up it has fantastic sticking power.

[Iciclehead]

Originally Posted by KTL

Use the zinc spray and then heat it up. It "hardens" when heated and won't be so easy to scratch off. I've used it on mufflers & brake rotors and once warmed up it has fantastic sticking power.

Interesting, I did the muffler on my '75 20 years ago, it has held up well, but I just thought it was because it didn't get any real washing effect from road grime or anything.

If the stuff actually hardens, then the clue ought to be to use the wife's oven to bake it, any idea as to what temperature/duration might be needed? Thought from my side would be the minimum possible to reduce the additional flavour it might give my food....

Dennis

[KTL]

I also painted some CV axle shafts with the stuff. I didn't want to cook those in teh oven so I sat down with a heat gun and heated them up for about 10 min. each. Seems to have worked but I honestly haven't put the axles into use yet.

My favorite flavor is LPS Cold Galvanize spray.

[Uwon]

Hi, what brand zinc coating are you guys having.success with? Need some to finish of my build.
Thanks in advance.
Johan

[Iciclehead]

I have been using the Wurth stuff.....

Dennis

[KTL]

I have had fantastic results with the LPS cold galvanize on exhaust stuff. http://www.lpslabs.com/product-details/613

I haven't tried the Wurth stuff myself so i'm not trying to say LPS is better. Had great results with the LPS so I haven't had reason to try anything else yet.

[Uwon]

Thanks guys. I've been able to source both products in Toronto.
Johan

[Gretz]

Resurrecting an old thread here. I am doing a suspension overall and my rear hubs look very much like the ones in OP’s pics. I’d like to simply protect them, I don’t have a need for a particular finish. The genuine Porsche ones appear to be lightly coated with some type of black finish on the front and perhaps a little heavier on the back. Obviously nothing on bearing surfaces.

Any ideas on how these are coated by Porsche? My initial thought is to use basic black auto enamel on the back and perhaps on the area around where the stub axle exits and then oil (like Gibbs) the contact surface around the studs. I found some pics of the Genuine Porsche part which are attached below.

[gled49]

They are Phosphated (Gray/black finish)

[digitaldgp]

I glass beaded mine and paint them with Eastwood Extreme chassis black paint.

[wrxnofx]

I just used a clear coat rattle can. That was 4 years ago and they look fine yet.

[Harpo]

I electroplated mine