Post by dwayner2 on Aug 29, 2020 7:51:53 GMT -5
I moved my reply from another thread here so it can be found easier in the future.
-buff off the rods/arms with a wire wheel and/or sand them down using a VERY WORN lap sanding disc (120 grit) mounted onto a 4” hand grinder. I say WORN because a new disc will cut into the metal too fast and leave lots of flat marks. And always keep the grinder/lap sander moving up and down the rods...don’t stop in one spot too long. You want an even slick surface when done.
-now soak in Phos Acid 4-6 hours to kill the remaining rust. Let drain and dry for 2-3 days. Brush off the dry acid using a wire wheel on a bench grinder.
-pop them into an oven at 300° for 30 mins to bake out all remaining moisture....or heat with a torch.
-let cool enough to where you can hold them with a potholder and then apply a very thin coat of food grade mineral oil. Bake at 325° until they stop smoking. Now repeat the oil and baking 2 more times. Done! Main thing to remember is to bake the rods to remove any moisture BEFORE the first coat of oil. Doing them this way makes them look great but you will likely need to re-apply more oil as the rods begin showing signs of rust. Spring and Fall is a good time for that. You can oil them, turn on the broiler flame and open the windows to let the smoke out. 😬.
With all that said, you CAN have the rods rechromed or maybe ceramic coated if you want to go the extra mile on it. I asked Salt Lake Chrome what they would charge for one lifter rod a few years back, $20 a piece is what Kevin told me. I’m guessing they run $25-$30 now.
NOTE....the surfaces must be as smooth as possible before sending them off for new chrome. Any pitting in the metal will be very noticeable on a nice shiny surface. Ceramic coating is a little more “flat” looking so it can help hide those areas some.
-buff off the rods/arms with a wire wheel and/or sand them down using a VERY WORN lap sanding disc (120 grit) mounted onto a 4” hand grinder. I say WORN because a new disc will cut into the metal too fast and leave lots of flat marks. And always keep the grinder/lap sander moving up and down the rods...don’t stop in one spot too long. You want an even slick surface when done.
-now soak in Phos Acid 4-6 hours to kill the remaining rust. Let drain and dry for 2-3 days. Brush off the dry acid using a wire wheel on a bench grinder.
-pop them into an oven at 300° for 30 mins to bake out all remaining moisture....or heat with a torch.
-let cool enough to where you can hold them with a potholder and then apply a very thin coat of food grade mineral oil. Bake at 325° until they stop smoking. Now repeat the oil and baking 2 more times. Done! Main thing to remember is to bake the rods to remove any moisture BEFORE the first coat of oil. Doing them this way makes them look great but you will likely need to re-apply more oil as the rods begin showing signs of rust. Spring and Fall is a good time for that. You can oil them, turn on the broiler flame and open the windows to let the smoke out. 😬.
With all that said, you CAN have the rods rechromed or maybe ceramic coated if you want to go the extra mile on it. I asked Salt Lake Chrome what they would charge for one lifter rod a few years back, $20 a piece is what Kevin told me. I’m guessing they run $25-$30 now.
NOTE....the surfaces must be as smooth as possible before sending them off for new chrome. Any pitting in the metal will be very noticeable on a nice shiny surface. Ceramic coating is a little more “flat” looking so it can help hide those areas some.