Topic: Correct gas / brake line finish

[ruppstang]

Does anyone know a supplier that still has the correct original finish on their gas and brake lines. The last I got from NPD I think made by Classic Tube had a finish that looked aluminized.   

[CharlesTurner]

Try Fine Lines

[67gtasanjose]

The Right Stuff out of Ohio

[ruppstang]

Thanks guys, I give them a call.

[Bob Gaines]

When I mentioned this situation in a post about a year ago I got a PM offer through the forum from Paul Fixx  to send me samples of their tubing. It had been my understanding that the process has changed for corrosion protection on fuel and brake lines in the industry from the Terne steel to aluminized steel. The samples Paul sent me were different then the blue gray looking aluminized versions that I and others had observed in the past from Classic Tube and looked more assemblyline original. I have not purchased any from Classic Tube recently to see what finish is currently available through them. 

[ruppstang]

I called all of the suppliers and got no reply from them on the new finish. I appears we are stuck with it.

[67gtasanjose]

When I mentioned this situation in a post about a year ago I got a PM offer through the forum from Paul Fixx  to send me samples of their tubing. It had been my understanding that the process has changed for corrosion protection on fuel and brake lines in the industry from the Terne steel to aluminized steel. The samples Paul sent me were different then the blue gray looking aluminized versions that I and others had observed in the past from Classic Tube and looked more assemblyline original. I have not purchased any from Classic Tube recently to see what finish is currently available through them.

Bob, correct me if wrong but I believe recent posts (a year or two back?) suggested that " The Right Stuff" out of Westerville Ohio were suggested as the "most correct" source. Maybe things have changed since that post (as often things do change) but I bought from them about a year ago and was about 80/90% satisfied with the fitment, look and finish of their lines when compared to my originals. I figured there was no way to get 100% match to originals so resigned to use their fuel, brake and transmission lines.

[CharlesTurner]

I called all of the suppliers and got no reply from them on the new finish. I appears we are stuck with it.

Can you clarify what that means?  Got no reply or they replied that the old coating is no longer available??

[Bob Gaines]

Bob, correct me if wrong but I believe recent posts (a year or two back?) suggested that " The Right Stuff" out of Westerville Ohio were suggested as the "most correct" source. Maybe things have changed since that post (as often things do change) but I bought from them about a year ago and was about 80/90% satisfied with the fitment, look and finish of their lines when compared to my originals. I figured there was no way to get 100% match to originals so resigned to use their fuel, brake and transmission lines.

They were the ones I had gotten lines from but haven't bought anything from them in a couple years. I might see them at the Columbus swap meet and will report back.I tried to buy them in person so that I can get the long lines intact and not bent in a loop for shipping. It is hard to get that last little bit of bend out otherwise.

[ruppstang]

Can you clarify what that means?  Got no reply or they replied that the old coating is no longer available??

I would assume that their no reply meant that the old finish is no longer available. The old finish was a lead zinc coating and I am sure the do gooders did not like the lead. I am sure that most companies use the same tubing suppliers.
I never has too many issues with the fitment with any of them.   

[Scott302]

Response sent to me by Paul Fix, CEO of Classic tube, our supplier of fuel and brake lines.

"There are some people that are confusing our product with other suppliers.
The original Tinned Bundy Weld "TBW" tubing was originally manufactured by supplier Bundy Corporation, had a corrosion resistant coating called Terne coating. Unfortunately that top coating is no longer available because of a ruling outlawing the lead and tin dip process by the EPA almost 20 years ago. At the end of that time Bundy Corp. was moving that coating process to two of their other plants until finally the enforcement pushed them to comply. At that time Bundy Corp. had already switched to offering a few different aluminum rich coatings that was then the new OEM standard.  Also at the time, without too much notice I was able to purchase a two year supply of tubing and started my investigation for an alternative.
In the end we were successful in sourcing our tubing (Made in the USA). It is SAE J 526 spec. and has a "galvanized" type top coating that simulates the Terne coating. You may also be interested in knowing the results of the ASTM B117 salt spray test was only 250 hours for the old Terne coating. Our tubing has passed at 3000 hours.
 We do not use the Aluminized Tubing, Zinc Plated or the Off Shore tubing that the others manufacturers use. These have the finishes that people dislike."

The process Paul describes is basically the same as was used on fuel tanks.  Were instead of the Terne coating Spectra Premium now uses Ni-terne coating which has nickel in place of the outlawed lead.  However where as the ni-terne gas tanks have a shiny appearance rather than the original dull surface his "galvanized" coating has a more correct appearance especially when compared to his competition.
Regards,
Scott

[ruppstang]

Scott does NPD sell tubing from any other suppliers other than Classic Tube? The last we got from NPD had the incorrect finish. I will try to get some pictures.

[ruppstang]

I heard back today from classic tube. They gave the same information that Scott provided above. I ordered a couple of lines to see what they look like and will report back when I get them.

[J_Speegle]

........... I ordered a couple of lines to see what they look like and will report back when I get them.

Thanks - sure many of us will be looking forward to a report on what they look like in person. If close hope the finish will be available for at least a while before someone outlaws it 

[ruppstang]

I received the lines from Classic Tube yesterday and was pleased to see the finish they are now using is very close to the Terne steel. They will have my business from now on. A good product that represents the original and is all made in the USA.