Topic: 1969 F code San José Upper control arms

[Bob Gaines]

I was thinking try too Zinc phosphate the Upper control arms Butt i dont know what there Well give the Best finish

You can do that but remember you will also have to follow up with a oil . The plating is designed to hold the oil for rust protection that is why it is called phosphate and oil .  I would use one of the oil based rust inhibitors like T9 for added protection over regular oil.  Without the oil the plating provides little rust protection by itself .  FYI the control arms in the picture although nice looking are way too dark to look similar to the bare metal they were when new. I would have to say something if I was judging a car with those.  Typically you can lighten them  by less time in the phosphate tank. You just have to keep checking as they are cooking. Also zinc phosphate will turn out lighter then Manganese phosphate all things being equal. I just gave a short most basic over simplified answer for the plating process. There is a lot more to it . There is a  in depth DIY in the library to study.

[J_Speegle]

I was thinking try too Zinc phosphate the Upper control arms Butt i dont know what there Well give the Best finish

Just as a reminder - this is not likely the original finish just one way to reproduce the original look if done correctly IMHO