Thread: Galvanising

Thanks very much for looking Wayne I appreciate the gesture. In fitting the one that I had it snapped in my hand. Silastic looks like a great option.
Located some new headlights today, local auto supply. Exactly what I was after, semi sealed, parker in the lense. curved front like the original Lucas $55 including globes. Fitted up well. The original ones I had were all different brands some with broken solder on the sealed beam section others with the reflective paint peeling off the glass.
The outer beezel rims fitted not so well. I wound the adjustment screw in though it was still loose. Consulted the manual to find there should be a dust exclusion felt in there. Can't remember taking one out.
On the chroming front they can be done. Quote 1 month turn around $288. Starting to think they might look very good repainted or I could polish and lacquer the brass, or order online, though they don't have an adjustment mechanism like the original just a small locating screw.

You could try KB Claccic Parts (07) 45944221 . Kev may have some new or 2nd hand rims , he has been collecting Lucas parts for the last 50 years. You will need to phone him as he doeas not use a computer. He may also have tnew clips to hold the glass in your D lamps

If you can't find the wire clip for the tail light, you could try a toy and hobby shop and ask for some piano wire it comes in different diameters,in a meter length, and is spring steel. Used it for building model aeroplanes when Iwas a kid.

I think you will need to heat where tou want to bend it or it will brake.

Originally Posted by 1950landy

I think you will need to heat where tou want to bend it or it will brake.

It depends on the hardness. I have bought spring wire before to use in welding/work clamps, which could be cold-bent to shape.

If it is hot-bent, the finished product can be heated to dull-red and quenched in oil or water and then tempered with the torch to a suitable colour, to relieve some of the hardness,

Cheers Charlie

The wire up to about 1mm can be bent with a pair of pliers to 90 deg without heat but will probably break if done twice.

Cheers Steve

G'day Brendan, fantastic work so far mate!
As Klonk said, some hobby shops stock piano wire/spring steel. The shop I work at stocks piano wire in 3' lengths and many different gauges from hair thickness to can't bend it in a vice. Let me know what dia you want and i'll see if it's in stock. There's probably a shop closer than Parramatta to you though..!

Had a chance to do a little more today. Exhaust on. Not a great fit out of the box. Rebent the front pipe to better meet the intermediate pipe. Looks like it sits a little low at the front. Though I am happy to have another job ticked off, means closer to going for a drive.
Also made a start on the seats. Not getting far with Exmoor trim and their NSW distributor. A local upholsterer by comparison was very helpful. We discussed types of material and came back to vinyl. So I have pretty much decided to restore what I have. His quote was in the $450 ballpark. The green vinyl was very close to the original. There is an option to go for a heavy duty vinyl, the type use in public transport (think red rattler).
I took a wire wheel in the drill to the backs that cleaned up the pressed metal. There is some rust towards the bottom and I was thinking of fibre-glassing the bottom before a coat of a cold gal or similar. The original had a horse hair or some kind of padding in it. A trip to the local foam store will be on the cards. All covered by the vinyl so no one will be any the wiser as they are sitting comfortably.