Topic: To Cosmoline or not to Cosmoline Exhaust Hangers

[FXguy]

Have all 4 original 64 1/2 K code exhaust hangers from both of my mid/late June built 64 1/2 K code convertibles.  They all have what appears to be old dry cosmoline under the years of dirt.   I have seen at least one comment on the forum to NOT present the car in MCA concours class with the hangers coated in cosmoline.  I see nothing in the MCA rules for concours or Thoroughbred about this.  I will add that every NOS exhaust hanger I have seen has been coated in cosmoline.   So my questions are:

1. Is there any evidence to that assembly line hangers were/were NOT coated in Cosmoline for this period of production besides what I have presented here?
2. Is there really a stated/unstated rule that cars in concours or Thoroughbred  should not have cosmoline on exhaust hangers?
3. Would presenting the car with cosmoline on the hangers   (as it appeared it originally had) result in a deduction in either concours or Thoroughbred?

Thanks,

-Scott

[jwc66k]

Original metal hangers were formed using oil as a lubricant as part of the process. They were "carefully" thrown into a container and shipped to an assembly line. No preservation was intended, these cars were planned to have a ten year life span. Having stripped Cosmoline off WWII Military items, I remember it being a messy process and intended for long term storage in all climates. To be truthful, I have never heard of a Ford part with Cosmoline. Service part may be different.
Ans:
1. My original 65 GT Fastback.
2. They are bare metal.
3. Probably. I would.
Jim

[CharlesTurner]

It depends on how much cosmoline is used and if it detracts from the natural appearance of the part.  We would not expect to see yellow/brown color exhaust hangers on a restored car.  They could have a light coating of protectant, so long as the parts still look natural.

Attached is a new car image from '65...  If they were heavy cosmoline, I would expect we would see some dullness, even in the black/white photo and a shade difference between the pipes.

[CharlesTurner]

Original metal hangers were formed using oil as a lubricant as part of the process. They were "carefully" thrown into a container and shipped to an assembly line. No preservation was intended, these cars were planned to have a ten year life span. Having stripped Cosmoline off WWII Military items, I remember it being a messy process and intended for long term storage in all climates. To be truthful, I have never heard of a Ford part with Cosmoline. Service part may be different.
Ans:
1. My original 65 GT Fastback.
2. They are bare metal.
3. Probably. I would.
Jim

Jim:  the closest thing I have seen that could be cosmoline would be on wiper motors.  They usually are dirty from attracting dust on the tacky surface coating.  The coating comes off easily with solvent, so maybe it's not cosmoline or a different formulation?  When I think of cosmoline, I think of that yellow/brown stuff that parts would be dipped in.  It never completely dries and usually see brownish pooling in the corners/tight areas of the parts applied to.

[J_Speegle]

I too normally think of and have found cosmoline applications to have been sloppy and messy not something I've witnessed on assembly line installed hangers or many other items. Consider that often the long term protection coatings or even finishes were much greater on service replacement parts since they may see harsh or humid conditions and allot of handling. New high priced parts would be more difficult to sell and that is likely for the differences

Hangers through the years  appear IMHO to have a thinner film protective coating that did not alter the surface texture or the look much

[FXguy]

Jim, Charles, and Jeff - Thank you all for the quick replies and insights. Based on that and the pic that Charles posted, plus a couple of other early car pics I dug up, the hangers and clamps all look very bright - especially as compared to the NOS hangers I have had.  Must say that I prefer the brighter appearance to the goopy brown runs and drips of cosmoline anyways - would be a shame to hide the nice freshly stamped metal look that took a ton of effort to recreate on these.

-Scott