[roger1]

I've done searching on the subject but haven't really seen any definitive answer on this.

My original '55 hinges are old and not that tight. I don't need anything fancy like stainless or billet hinges but I do like the idea of the looks of new plated ones. My hood, fenders and doors are presently off the car and I will be starting from scratch as far as alignment on everything anyway.

I assume they are all the same no matter who you get them from. But I was thinking to use Danchuk. Their price seems good on them. I'd get new springs from them too.

Are people generally happy with new repros? Is it a good way to go?

 

[Jalapeno]

I cannot comment on the new repro plated hinges, never used them. But I have heard that the repro hinge springs are not as good as the original springs. I think the springs are year specific too.

 

[Rick_L]

Not quite on target, but related -

I helped a friend install a pair of SS repro hinges and springs on a 57 a couple of months back.

As received, they needed more polishing, but they polished right up. Everything fit and worked fine, including the SS springs.

We also used the method advised on the forums of inserting washers into the coils to spread them for installation, with a tie wrap through all the washer holes so they can be removed without having the washers go everywhere. That was the first time I'd used that technique, and it worked like a champ.

 

[roger1]

I cannot comment on the new repro plated hinges, never used them. But I have heard that the repro hinge springs are not as good as the original springs. I think the springs are year specific too.

So, between what you said here and what Rick said, is it safe to assume that the stainless springs would be better in both looks and functionality?

 

[Rick_L]

I would not say better on the SS ones, just that they are good and get the job done if you want the look.

 

[roger1]

Well, I blasted my hinges this afternoon and they cleaned up real nice.
I remembered wrong. They are actually pretty tight. I am going to re-use them. I'll paint them with silver/aluminum and then clear them with a 2 part urethane. I am going to do the hood latch mechanism the same.

When I started blasting the springs, I stopped when I saw they are kind of pitted. I am going to replace those. They're 55 years old and probably weak anyway.
So, now I just need to decide whether to get standard springs or the stainless ones.

Thanks for the input guys.
If there are anymore suggestions on which springs I should buy, please chime in.

Here's the stuff:

 

[johnonetrillion]

R1, does your paint and clear treatment give them an original look? I have just put new rivets in mine and was going to have them blasted and then zinc plated. (Can't get cad plating here any more.) Wonder if platers can get zinc to look like cad, or whether it is just better to paint them anyway.

Re springs, I am thinking that painting them will not provide proper coverage, unless I blast them put them back on the hinge, open them up and spray that way to get the insides of all the coils. Better to retire them and buys some new ones for $13 each.

 

[555657jim]

Springs

Roger, I ordered a set of these for my car. Even with a painted hinge I think they are a nice clean touch under the hood.:blowtiedb:JIM.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1955...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item563ff88a90

 

[roger1]

R1, does your paint and clear treatment give them an original look? I have just put new rivets in mine and was going to have them blasted and then zinc plated. (Can't get cad plating here any more.) Wonder if platers can get zinc to look like cad, or whether it is just better to paint them anyway.

No, the aluminum paint and clear does not make them look original. The clear makes the silver look a little more gray. I like it but it's much different than a plated look.

In the following picture, I painted the A/C compressor and alternator brackets with the aluminum/clear paint as well as the idler assemblies:

By the way, this clear is the same clear as used on the firewall and the clear I'm going to use on the rest of the car. It is "Universal Clear" from Southern Polyurethanes Inc..



Also, I've seen this product from Eastwood but don't know how good it is:
Eastwood Clear Zinc

 

[roger1]

Roger, I ordered a set of these for my car. Even with a painted hinge I think they are a nice clean touch under the hood.:blowtiedb:JIM.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1955...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item563ff88a90

Thanks Jim. I might just get a set of those.

 

[roger1]

Follow up.

I thought I would follow up here and post pics of how everything turned out. I painted everything with PlastiKote rattle-can aluminum/silver then cleared with SPI Universal Clear.
And, btw, I decided to just get new black springs from Danchuk. I decided that I like the looks of the black springs since I am trying to keep the bling down under my hood somewhat.