Restoration question,..bolt finish "S"..

d.j. moordigian

d.j. moordigian

Well-known member
I have this question about the bolt finish "S" from the "Standard Hardware"
book. The "S" in the book states that it is "Plain",..

What finish/color is "plain"?
1. Is it after the fastener was made,..bluish/black for Steel?
2. Were the parts "tumbled" too a bright/flat Steel finish?
3. Some kind of acid bath finish,..semi-bright with rust spots?

I'm sure there are other combinations.

NO guessing,...I'd like to hear from some of the fella's of the Judging Standards committee that knows..

Thanks,
Dudley
 
S = Plain
S1 = black enamel paint
S2 = Raven (Phosphate & Oil)
S3 = Raven finish with black painted head only
S4 = Raven (Phosphate & Oil) and black paint
S5 = Copper plate
S6 = Nickel Plate
S7 = Cadmium plate
S8 = Zinc plate
S7-8 = Cadmium-Zinc
S9 = Zinc plate (Bright)
S10 = Tinned
S11 = Copper Coat
S12 = Lacquer to match trim
S13 = Chrome plated (Interior Parts)
S14 = Nickel plate - Butler finish
S15 = Black Oxidized
S16 = Lead plate
S18 = Case hardened
S20 = Cement Coat
S21 = Lacquer for identification
S23 = Rustless (Stainless) steel - head polished
S26 = Cadmium or zinc plate and enamel
S27 = Screw blank
S28 = Sterile coating
 
Dudley,
Think of an original bolt or nut that is new. It is plain steel and smooth. It is different than if it was plated or bead blasted. It is more like if you wire brush it. In the interest of preservation, it is acceptable to coat the unfinished fasteners so they will not rust. You just don't want to make them look like they have been cad plated. They should all match on the vehicle.
 
WardAZ said:
What Gary said. Once wire brushed and cleaned in lacquer thinner, I brushed a thin coat of satin polyurethane. Once dry, you don't really notice the coating.
Click to expand...

YES ^^^^

A light (thin) coat of clear satin as a preservative, otherwise the plain steel will rust.

You don't want these parts to be shiny. They should look like they have no coating on them at all, like they are plain steel.
 
I think S is plain steel, like stated above several times. I usually do what Jim Cannon does, except I spray a matte or flat clear on the plain steel parts, either before I install them or carefully after installation, instead of brushing the clear on. Matte or flat clear can be purchased at hardware stores in an aerosol spray can.
Rusty Nelson
 
I did a test run on a Cad / Zink flat washer,..here is the photo..
Standard washer on the left.
The washer on the right was in the acid bath for a half hour. I didn't touch the left side,
the right side I brushed with a SS tooth brush,...is this what I'm after?
 

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