Roof Struts pics and questions

[clarenceboddiger]

I was looking at changing the roof struts for some ally ones and was chasing a pair on Ebay but lost interest at about £65, then I remebered someone on here mentioning that under the paint the originals are stainless.
After stripping the paint off one with nitromours, it was obvious that the struts have some sort of coating which looks like galvanising, which put a damper on it as I thought why would they galv stainless?.Anyway in for a penny I buffed some of the galv of and got quite a good finish which does look like stainless,but it isnt ,its a ferrous metal and is very attracted to magnets, so the first question
Anyone know what the material is?
next question
As I have a nice'ish finish on them is there a clear coating anyone can recommend to keep them shiny?
If anyone is thinking of doing this job, save some time by taking them out in a well ventilated area and use a rotary wire brush on a grinder to remove the galv, try not to breath the dust in its not good.Then buff with a red compound, it is quite time consuming but it keeps an original part on and I think looks pretty good,l and its abit cheaper than converting to Chim' ones. Heres a few pics if:-




To be honest the pics dont really do them justice, they are quite shiny

[jed-s]

Stainless can be magnetic... try a magnet on your cutlery. IIRC it's the addition of nickel that makes a stainless steel non or less magnetic.

Best leave them outside over night to see if they rust and then you'll know if they are stainless or not.

[kenpage]

Hi ken the stuff you want is by a co called eastwood its called diamond clear and is for use on bare metal inc alloy wheels i got mine from frost&co see www.frost.co.uk about £10 me thinks kp

[clarenceboddiger]

Thanks Ken
picking it up tomorrow, only 10 miles away from them

[Jay Ayegees]

Where did you get your carpet from?

[clarenceboddiger]

Jay Ayegees said:

Where did you get your carpet from?

I cant tell you till your over 21
should have vac'd it first though, if the wife sees that pic I've had it.

[S3Paulo]

I quite like your carpet actually...did the arch villain in Robocop have that carpet in his hideaway too....

My roof struts rattle because the pin has worn in the middle....I have replaced them with screws, washers and nyloc nuts but they also rattle now...as a last ditch measure before buying some shiny chim truts, I have wrapped them in those searbelt gaiters which muffles the rattle somewhat. Your buffed ones do look the business though....Paul.

Edited by S3Paulo on Sunday 29th April 10:11

[clarenceboddiger]

S3Paulo said:

I have replaced them with screws, washers and nyloc nuts but they also rattle now...

Edited by S3Paulo on Sunday 29th April 10:11

Why dont you try a split washer between the nut and the washer, with the Nyloc you should be able to get some tension on the nut using the spring washer to constantly take up any play.

[S3Paulo]

clarenceboddiger said:

Why dont you try a split washer between the nut and the washer, with the Nyloc you should be able to get some tension on the nut using the spring washer to constantly take up any play.

Yes Ok...I'll try that...thanks....Paul.