Topic: Control arm dipping

[cobra427]

Pics look great, I restored mine and I used the original rivits from AMK for my ball joints and I couldn't get the correct waffle pattern like I see on yours, how did you get this?

Gary 

[CharlesTurner]

I had a fella in MA that did the riveting.  He had special dies made to do the waffle pattern and the lower dome pattern.  The upper and lower rivets are not the same.

If you need the contact info for the place in MA, let me know.

[Armond]

I have been using the rustoleum for dipping for a long time. I use acetone to thin it.  I have done just as James did and mixed gloss and flat together to get a nice sheen.  I made a tall bucket of sorts to pore all the paint into and dip the lower arms into it with out having to use the water.  It does take a while for the paint to dry completely, a few days.  But I am a patient person.
 

[Daven]

I was just curious what people were using for bulk black paint for dipping parts?  The only thing I came up with was using Menards farm implement black.  I only could find it at a gallon at a time, so at $27 a gallon, it added up to put it in a large container.  Also wondering if someone has a great idea to put less paint in a taller container for dipping lower support arms.  It would have to be at least 16" tall.

Daven

[carlite65]

this topic has been discussed before. a search here will reveal the answers.

[midlife]

From what I remember, a 1/2 inch of paint or so on top of water will do the trick.  Dump the part fully into the bucket and slowly pull it out; the paint will stick to the part.

[J_Speegle]

From what I remember, a 1/2 inch of paint or so on top of water will do the trick. Dump the part fully into the bucket and slowly pull it out; the paint will stick to the part.

Well not really "Dump" the part since its the entry process that coats the part

[T-Bone68]

In case it helps, here is what I used for dipping my pedals, including a video link.  Worked great, but I couldn't speak to how well it would hold up on an underbody part like your lower control arms. 

I used the float method because I don't have the room in my garage or volume of parts to restore to justify keeping a large bin around.  Floating limits you to oil based paints.  I used Rust-Oleum Semi-gloss black 7798 because after dip coating test panels, that seemed to match the pedal paint better then the satin gloss.  Mixed it 5:1 with acetone because that seemed enough thinning to reduce the heavy bead that forms on the bottom with straight paint.

Overall process:  Degrease -> steel wool -> soak in Evaporust -> rinse, dry, wipe with clean towel -> scuff with maroon Scotch Brite -> dip in semi gloss black mixture -> after a week of drying, coated the bare metal part with Boeshield T9
-the steel wool removed the top of the rust and accelerated the process in the Evaporust without leaving scuff/scratch marks on the parts to remain bare.
-I used the maroon scotch brite because it could get into the tiny spots and around weld material.  Supplemented with sand paper on the flats where I could.  In the video I forgot to scuff the first pedal and paid for it, but corrected my mistake for the second pedal.

Any feedback how to do it better is welcome.


You can fast forward the first 1min if you get bored watching me carefully pouring the paint on top.  The acrylic vase is great for making a video, but not for keeping a dipping tank.  The paint is attracted to the high polarity of the acrylic and after 1-2 hours started creeping down the sides.  Better to use a polypropylene or polyethylene container like most of the storage bins you find at the hardware store.  I didn't post here originally because I am a rookie and not a concours expert.

[OldGuy]

In case it helps, here is what I used for dipping my pedals, including a video link.  Worked great, but I couldn't speak to how well it would hold up on an underbody part like your lower control arms. 

I used the float method because I don't have the room in my garage or volume of parts to restore to justify keeping a large bin around.  Floating limits you to oil based paints.  I used Rust-Oleum Semi-gloss black 7798 because after dip coating test panels, that seemed to match the pedal paint better then the satin gloss.  Mixed it 5:1 with acetone because that seemed enough thinning to reduce the heavy bead that forms on the bottom with straight paint.

Overall process:  Degrease -> steel wool -> soak in Evaporust -> rinse, dry, wipe with clean towel -> scuff with maroon Scotch Brite -> dip in semi gloss black mixture -> after a week of drying, coated the bare metal part with Boeshield T9
-the steel wool removed the top of the rust and accelerated the process in the Evaporust without leaving scuff/scratch marks on the parts to remain bare.
-I used the maroon scotch brite because it could get into the tiny spots and around weld material.  Supplemented with sand paper on the flats where I could.  In the video I forgot to scuff the first pedal and paid for it, but corrected my mistake for the second pedal.

Any feedback how to do it better is welcome.


You can fast forward the first 1min if you get bored watching me carefully pouring the paint on top.  The acrylic vase is great for making a video, but not for keeping a dipping tank.  The paint is attracted to the high polarity of the acrylic and after 1-2 hours started creeping down the sides.  Better to use a polypropylene or polyethylene container like most of the storage bins you find at the hardware store.  I didn't post here originally because I am a rookie and not a concours expert.

GREAT video! Thanks for sharing.

Frank

[Daven]

Thank you all!  I loved the video!

Daven

[Al Bundy]

Excellent video.  Having never done it before I have more confidence in giving it a try.