Author Topic: auto trans and bell housing color  (Read 3498 times)

Offline midnite cruiser

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auto trans and bell housing color
« on: May 18, 2015, 09:34:36 PM »
Judging points talk about the trans and bell housing color only to the extent that it may be black if cast iron, natural if aluminum. This D code of mine, July '64 build has each aluminum but there is paint on each of them, and flaked more than I wish.
Strip to bare metal or put the semi-flat finish back on?
JWhite
64.5 D code convert. / C4 / AC / PS / RP

Offline NEFaurora

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Re: auto trans and bell housing color
« Reply #1 on: May 19, 2015, 01:17:53 PM »
My own personal opinion is that you should strip the bell housing as best as possible to bare metal.  Also, Trying to polish the aluminum is a lesson in futility...

What I suggest is going to LOWE's or Home Depot and pick up a few cans of Rustoleum High Performance Enamel, #7515 Aluminum. and few cans of the Rustoleum High Performance Enamel Primer #7582 Grey Primer.  Someone tipped me off to this a few years ago, and I was very happy with the results!

If someone has better suggestions for actually polishing the aluminum, I sure have never seen it.

:o)

Tony K.

« Last Edit: May 19, 2015, 01:20:55 PM by NEFaurora »
Tony Kovar (NEFaurora@aol.com)
1965 Mustang Convertible 200 cid 3spd manual
1966 Mustang Convertible Sprint 200 C4 Auto
2007 Mustang Convertible V6 Auto with "Pony Package".
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Offline WT8095

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Re: auto trans and bell housing color
« Reply #2 on: May 19, 2015, 01:37:14 PM »
I have recently been using soda blast to remove paint and carbon from aluminum cylinder heads and carburetors for small engines. The process is extremely gentle compared to sand or glass media. Aluminum will take on what I call a "fogged" finish - imagine fogging a piece of chrome or a mirror by breathing on it. There is no visible "speckling" like you see with other abrasive media. As a test I stripped an aluminum pop can. Shiny areas took on the fogged appearance, but the can did not warp and all of the draw marks from the manufacturing process were still visible. I would encourage you to try it on a sample piece of aluminum and judge the results for yourself.

I'm using Armex brand Maintenance Grade (medium) soda that I got from Harbor Freight.
Dave Z.

'68 fastback, S-code + C6. Special Paint (Rainbow promotion), DSO 710784. Actual build date 2/7/1968, San Jose.
'69 Cougar convertible, 351W-2V + FMX, Meadowlark Yellow.

Offline midnite cruiser

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Re: auto trans and bell housing color
« Reply #3 on: May 19, 2015, 07:25:29 PM »
Thanks gents.
We used soda blast to strip the body and it is truly amazing how it vaporizes down to bare metal without damage. But that was from a contract man (trailered in the blast rig).
Both methods look good-unfortunately (of course) the trans is rebuilt and am leery of blasting at this point.
JWhite
64.5 D code convert. / C4 / AC / PS / RP

Offline NEFaurora

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Re: auto trans and bell housing color
« Reply #4 on: May 19, 2015, 07:59:36 PM »

The foggy appearance is always the problem.....How do you get rid of that???  And everyone cannot afford a soda blaster..

Hence, The Rustoleum...

:o)

Tony K.
Tony Kovar (NEFaurora@aol.com)
1965 Mustang Convertible 200 cid 3spd manual
1966 Mustang Convertible Sprint 200 C4 Auto
2007 Mustang Convertible V6 Auto with "Pony Package".
1966 Mustang Sprint 200 Registry Owner/Moderator
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Offline WT8095

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Re: auto trans and bell housing color
« Reply #5 on: May 19, 2015, 08:22:37 PM »
The foggy appearance is always the problem.....How do you get rid of that???  And everyone cannot afford a soda blaster..

Hence, The Rustoleum...

:o)

Tony K.

I don't have an answer for the fogged appearance, but it is the lesser of several evils compared to wire brush or other abrasives. Beyond that it's a matter of choice; do you prefer paint vs. fogged vs. chemical removal? For me it's close enough to cast to be acceptable; others certainly may not share my opinion and may choose to go a different route.

Cost is actually quite reasonable. I use a cheap siphon-type gun (attached) that runs about $20 at Menards, $34 at Eastwood, and available many places. A 50lb bag of media will run you about $40 - more than the siphon gun! The compressor is the most expensive part, but if you already have one you're most of the way there. Note that a typical home compressor and a siphon gun would be very laborious for stripping an entire car! For that you need a larger nozzle and a BIG compressor to keep up with it. But the simple rig works nicely for small pieces.

I'm not trying to knock the other methods, either, I only intend to present a method that has given me satisfactory results. I encourage anyone who is interested to try it on a sample instead of trusting me blindly  ;)
Dave Z.

'68 fastback, S-code + C6. Special Paint (Rainbow promotion), DSO 710784. Actual build date 2/7/1968, San Jose.
'69 Cougar convertible, 351W-2V + FMX, Meadowlark Yellow.

Offline J_Speegle

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Re: auto trans and bell housing color
« Reply #6 on: May 19, 2015, 08:52:07 PM »
Yes the problem with painting "natural" surfaces. Without removing the part its going to be difficult.

If removed the bell housing could be "tanked" by any engine rebuilder.

Another material we sometimes use for blasting is walnut shells. Very soft but like any blasting you end up with a mono-tone finish rather than the original look. Making it look better - can be done to a painted aluminum part IMHO - making it look right  - not that easy
Jeff Speegle

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Online CharlesTurner

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Re: auto trans and bell housing color
« Reply #7 on: May 20, 2015, 12:52:31 AM »
Usually takes more work to maintain 'faux' painted surfaces on natural aluminum/cast/steel than it does to just restore them as original.
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Offline 69GT350H

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Re: auto trans and bell housing color
« Reply #8 on: May 20, 2015, 11:23:35 AM »
The aluminum on mine had a bit of surface corrosion. I ended up using wire wheels and brushes to clean it off and you can see the marks in it. I was able to use a mild de-greaser on the main housing, luckily I did not have paint to remove.

Accurate looking but not a Concours Restoration/build. See my build photo gallery at 69GT350 Hertz Build

Offline jwc66k

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Re: auto trans and bell housing color
« Reply #9 on: May 20, 2015, 11:59:39 AM »
Usually takes more work to maintain 'faux' painted surfaces on natural aluminum/cast/steel than it does to just restore them as original.
Well said.
Jim
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Offline NEFaurora

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Re: auto trans and bell housing color
« Reply #10 on: May 20, 2015, 06:28:06 PM »

"Yes the problem with painting "natural" surfaces. Without removing the part its going to be difficult."

I would think the tranny would have to be out no matter which method you took..

I've been happy with my "painted" surface.  No complaints here...yet...  I'll check back in a couple more years..

:o)

Tony K.

Tony Kovar (NEFaurora@aol.com)
1965 Mustang Convertible 200 cid 3spd manual
1966 Mustang Convertible Sprint 200 C4 Auto
2007 Mustang Convertible V6 Auto with "Pony Package".
1966 Mustang Sprint 200 Registry Owner/Moderator
MCA#70001