Brake/clutch lines

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David_Doan

Jedi Warrior

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• Aug 23, 2015

• #1

I've been working on my car for a while getting it ready to paint. Pretty much everything is done except for painting the body. The original brake lines are in good shape. I cleaned them up but did not protect them with anything. Now after being storage in the garage for a year or so, they have lots of surface rust. This is probably worse than normal because my son left a plastic tray full of muratic acid open on my workbench for a month or so. (I did not know because i was stuck in the house with a broken leg).

Now that I'm cleaning them again, what should I protect them with? Penetrating oil, Fluid film, wax, and clear paint are some ideas I have. I guess I'm lucky that this occurred before assembling my car.

Any suggestions?


thanks,

David

 

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Billm

Yoda

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• Aug 23, 2015

• #2

I painted mine black but I don't care about it being "per factory"
Maybe you could use "aluminum" or "cast iron" colored paint, I wouldn't trust clear
BillM

 

Trevor Jessie

Yoda

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• Aug 23, 2015

• #3

I used "aluminum" colored paint on mine and they still look good. In my bugeye I made new lines from the cupro-nickle material. Easy to work with and will not rust.

 

OP

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David_Doan

Jedi Warrior

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• Aug 23, 2015

• #4

Thanks guys. I've used cast coat iron, cast coat aluminum, and plain aluminum on other stuff. One of those sounds great for the brake lines.

I wasn't aware that clear coat was less "tough" than regular paint. At least when painting a color, I can spend a lot less time prepping.

 

Trevor Jessie

Yoda

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• Aug 24, 2015

• #5

Problem with clear coat is that the metal will still rust under it and will be visible.

 

BlueMax

Jedi Warrior

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• Aug 24, 2015

• #6

Just curious how do you determine only the condition of a 55 year old steel brake tube from the outside? Doesn't brake tubing corrosion accumulates from the inside too?

 

Trevor Jessie

Yoda

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• Aug 24, 2015

• #7

Alan makes a good point. And it would be easy to make new ones using the originals as templates.

 

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nomad

Yoda

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• Aug 24, 2015

• #8

BlueMax said:

Just curious how do you determine only the condition of a 55 year old steel brake tube from the outside? Doesn't brake tubing corrosion accumulates from the inside too?

Click to expand...

Ah, just make sure your park brake is good!:highly_amused:

Just went through no brakes with my 66.....major pucker moment! Lines not corroded but PO had bent the line through the tunnel so that it rubbed through on the transmission.

Kurt

 

Rut

Obi Wan

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• Aug 24, 2015

• #9

I would think a kit like this would be good to have.
Rut
https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS+Perform...l&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20150824email

 

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nomad

Yoda

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• Aug 24, 2015

• #10

Rut, I'd be afraid that the tubing clamp might not be up to the job. I have a cheap set that look's a lot like that and the tubing will slip as you are flaring it. I've heard Fedhill are the best and their tool look's nothing like that. Of course it cost's many times that!!

You can rent it though!

Kurt

 

Trevor Jessie

Yoda

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• Aug 25, 2015

• #11

Those cheapo flaring tools work OK if you take your time and pay close attention. You need to be sure your cut is square and clean. Then you need to use a small file and emery cloth to eliminate all burrs. You also need to be sure the die is properly lubricated. It is slow and tedious, but if you are only doing a dozen or so flares ... it is an affordable option.

 

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nomad

Yoda

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• Aug 25, 2015

• #12

Trevor, is your experience with steel, cuppro nickel, copper? I am going to make up a bunch of lines out of Fedhill's cuppro nickel. The claim is that their tubing is up to standard while the cheap stuff sold on e-bay is not. Much thinner.

Kurt.

 

Trevor Jessie

Yoda

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• Aug 25, 2015

• #13

I've used mild steel and the cuppro nickel from Fedhill. They use cuppro nickel on some farm tractors as well, but not in 3/16". I've not looked at the stuff on ebay. When I did mine back in 2007 Fedhill was the only source I could find.

 

smaceng

Jedi Knight

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• Aug 25, 2015

• #14

I have used the Fedhill lines and fittings on a couple of projects and been favorably impressed.
Scott in CA

 

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nomad

Yoda

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• Aug 25, 2015

• #15

Well, looks like Jegs will get some of my business as well as Fedhill!

Kurt.