Does a swing arm have to be re-plated?

[jminnick]

Replacing bushings on rear swing arms and have removed all traces of original bushings with a wire wheel. Do the tubes have to be re-plated to prevent corrosion? I know one side will be completely covered by the new bushing but the other side will have part of it not covered.

[mepstein]

Bare metal rusts. Even under a bushing.

[jminnick]

Originally Posted by mepstein

Bare metal rusts. Even under a bushing.

I don’t have access to a local plating company. Is powder coating or an enamel paint strong enough?

[A930Rocket]

That’s one reason I went with new arms.

I don’t think paint or powder coating would work, due to thickness and the material rubbing away, potentially loosening the fasteners?

[Ian Comerford]

I spray mine with Waxoyl once a year and it keeps rust at bay here in UK

[PopsRacer]

The zinc plating which is then passivated (for even higher rust resistance) is there for a reason as im sure you know. If you can’t find a plater, there are ceramic protectants as well as oil based you can use but you’ll need to re-apply them periodically. They also wont help you with the area under the bushings or inside the tube - which is where mine had developed some rust.

[PopsRacer]

Have you trued any of these shops? All listed in the thomas register under zinc plating:
https://www.thomasnet.com/suppliers/discover/tennessee/all-cities/serving?searchterm=Zinc%20Plating

[jminnick]

Originally Posted by PopsRacer

Have you trued any of these shops? All listed in the thomas register under zinc plating:
https://www.thomasnet.com/suppliers/discover/tennessee/all-cities/serving?searchterm=Zinc%20Plating

Only one listed on that site and they don't do car parts. There is another one that has bad reviews on other websites.

[Brickwhite]

replate at home... its easy.

[nickelplated5s]

I went with new. It wasn't that much more than replating. I subbed the job out and that is was Al recommended too.

[Dpmulvan]

Originally Posted by Brickwhite

replate at home... its easy.

Why would you spend $300 or more to plate a few parts at home. Not to mention sodium dichromate is a carcinogen

[Brickwhite]

you can just Zinc plate, you don't need Sodium Dichromate. should cost about $50 all said and done. It won't be show yellow quality but it will hold up against Rust.

[nickelplated5s]

I tried acid etching and spraying a circa 1980 galvi horse barn roof. Worked for perhaps two years. Put the same on that barn as the four car in the pic. Couldn't be happier.

[Dpmulvan]

Originally Posted by Brickwhite

you can just Zinc plate, you don't need Sodium Dichromate. should cost about $50 all said and done. It won't be show yellow quality but it will hold up against Rust.

You have no idea what your talking about.

[jminnick]

I've decided to go the easiest route and ordered a new set of spring plates from our host. With no idea how long it might take to find a company to do the plating and how long get the parts back, this is just way easier. I can sell the bushing that I already bought as well.

Thank you for all the input!

[ericwitte]

I used the Eastwood paint that looked like cad plating 20 years ago and still holding up…


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