Tailgate Chain Finish
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Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Central Connecticut
Tailgate Chain Finish
Wondering if there's any way to coat the tailgate chains, other than painting them, to stop them from rusting. I saw in an old thread that Tom (pineconeford) put grease on them but that sounds kind of messy. Maybe something like the blueing used on a gun barrel. Any ideas for an inexpensive, homemade solution?
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2014
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One option might be to plate them with an electroless zinc or nickel plate (as Denny suggested) and then paint. Painting a chain is a tough deal though. If you blast them well and then tough it out on the paint and coat them well AND protect them with the rubber tube and allow drainage from it, rusting should be minimized.
I think the the problem I would see with an at home plating setup, is calculating the depletion of the bath and keeping the concentration of the bath up to avoid losing it, at least in an electroless setup. A couple of bolts is not a big deal but a chain would have a huge appetite for the metal in the bath.
JB
I think the the problem I would see with an at home plating setup, is calculating the depletion of the bath and keeping the concentration of the bath up to avoid losing it, at least in an electroless setup. A couple of bolts is not a big deal but a chain would have a huge appetite for the metal in the bath.
JB
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Is tinning something you could accomplish at home? How would you go about it?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Northville, MI
Dip it in a can of Rustoleum. Much easier to get coverage than spray.
Does POR-15 have UV inhibitor?
Does POR-15 have UV inhibitor?
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From: Central Connecticut
POR-15 and Rustoleum are essentially paint products. I was trying to come up with something that would protect the metal but not be likely to chip off. I guess thats what galvanizing does but I was looking for a do it yourself remedy.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Northville, MI
Both are pretty tough providing the metal is clean. If you put canvas covers on the chains to protect your body paint you won't see much anyhow. The SS chains seem to be the best solution.
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I looked at the SS chains but at $130 (Mac's) they seemed kind of pricy. I went with the plain steel for $60 (Midwest) but now I'm having second thoughts. I'll probably spend half of the savings trying to protect them.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Central PA
I bought the plain steel for my 54 back in 1999. They are still in good shape. I did replace the rubber covers this past year, however. with the covers on you do not see much of the chains anyhow.
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