Painting Copper Brake Lines

Ian1932

Ian1932

Senior Member
WAIT! These lines are almost 90% copper. They are 1/4" NiCop which is a modern product MADE for brake lines!

So, im looking these lines and as neat as i try to be it looks like crap to me. I think i want to take them off and paint them black along with the brass unions. I havent tightened anything yet, all just finger tight. Maybe scuffing them with scotch brite, taping off the ends, some epoxy primer and then some black rattle can? Anyone do this or am i over thinking it? Its like a sore thumb...
 
I think the copper will eventually oxidize and not be as noticeable. I would just leave it alone.
 
Ian1932 said:
WAIT! These lines are almost 90% copper. They are 1/4" NiCop which is a modern product MADE for brake lines!

So, im looking these lines and as neat as i try to be it looks like crap to me. I think i want to take them off and paint them black along with the brass unions. I havent tightened anything yet, all just finger tight. Maybe scuffing them with scotch brite, taping off the ends, some epoxy primer and then some black rattle can? Anyone do this or am i over thinking it? Its like a sore thumb...
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Considering that the brake line is 90% copper, what I have used is this to blacken copper in the past.
If it works it would probably be a more durable finish than paint.
Might be worth a try.
 

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I'm no metallurgist, but I believe the addition of the nickel to the alloy changes everything. One of the major advantages of NiCopp is it's resistance to corrosion. I don't believe it has much in common with unalloyed copper at all. Plus, I kind of like the look of it.
 
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Ian1932 said:
WAIT! These lines are almost 90% copper. They are 1/4" NiCop which is a modern product MADE for brake lines!

So, im looking these lines and as neat as i try to be it looks like crap to me. I think i want to take them off and paint them black along with the brass unions. I havent tightened anything yet, all just finger tight. Maybe scuffing them with scotch brite, taping off the ends, some epoxy primer and then some black rattle can? Anyone do this or am i over thinking it? Its like a sore thumb...
Click to expand...
The same Aluminum Blackening will work on brass also.
 

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i had a 1930 chrysler the car had factory copper brake lines never had a prolbem car is still driven today.chrysler never made a car with mechanal brakes
 
Ian1932 said:
WAIT! These lines are almost 90% copper. They are 1/4" NiCop which is a modern product MADE for brake lines!

So, im looking these lines and as neat as i try to be it looks like crap to me. I think i want to take them off and paint them black along with the brass unions. I havent tightened anything yet, all just finger tight. Maybe scuffing them with scotch brite, taping off the ends, some epoxy primer and then some black rattle can? Anyone do this or am i over thinking it? Its like a sore thumb...
Click to expand...

Ian, I think you are thus far doing a nice job with this project and I commend you.
The lines? My vote? Leave them. I like the detail shown in the different finishes. That's one major reason I paint my cars a color (no guys - black is not a color) - the appearance of the black frame, etc. against a colored floor pan, hmmm, hmmm, hmmm :)

Keep up the good work and please, keep us updated on your progress.
 
Let them be as they are and naturally age.
If you paint them they will look terrible when the paint begins to chip.
 
1. They'll look great from my couch.
2. Especially once the body is on
3. My dad always said, "if they're close enough to see that (meaning under your car) they need to be punched". (Assuming this car is for driving and not judging.)
 
Kube said:
Ian, I think you are thus far doing a nice job with this project and I commend you.
The lines? My vote? Leave them. I like the detail shown in the different finishes. That's one major reason I paint my cars a color (no guys - black is not a color) - the appearance of the black frame, etc. against a colored floor pan, hmmm, hmmm, hmmm :)

Keep up the good work and please, keep us updated on your progress.
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I have not seen the pictures, but I agree. copper looks great against black. Technically black is the absence of color. But it is a color really. Same as white, total light. Both effect color. But correct, tradition sense is black and white is not a color in certain circles. My truck is black.


To go off topic. Black doesn't technically reflect light so it's considered not a color. But we see it. But we don't see ultraviolet light. Maybe that's not a color, butterflies do see it... and maybe if we could see it we would be filled with air that has color and couldn't see our hand in front of our face.
 
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Since a 32 Ford never had any hydraulic brake lines in the first place - they will always stand out a bit.

I would not use regular paint as we all know what brake fluid does to paint - it won't last at the connections to the rear wheel cylinders. Once the paint starts to lift - it will really look like crap.

I like the looks of nicop lines - I think it will be just fine once you get the body on it and let them age just a bit.
 
I used that new material on both my 35 and 36 and thought it looked great.
 

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