Metal Surface Treatment Type

[David_VG30DETT]

Nissan had a "special" coating or anodizing to the Power Steering Fluid Reservoir, parts of the Cruise Control Actuator Module, and some other smaller parts in the Z32 engine compartment. It is an pale flat (military green) green colored metal surface.

Does anyone know for certain what type of coating or anodizing this is ?

It *isn't* Paint, Powder Coating, Cadmium, Copper or Black Oxide or any coating type I can identify.
I am trying to restore it to original.

If you simply buy replacement parts for these items (if you can find them) they come bare metal with a clear coat --- not original factory.

Does anyone know a contact at Nissan North America who may know the answer to this for restoration purposes ?

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

david

[RubyRed300ZX]

Interesting question. I know quite a bit about metals and metal working. But as you pointed out, it is treated and not painted or coated. And, I have no idea what it is specifically treated with for the Army Olive-Drab color other than a copper chemical process (gives the green patina). Whatever they used, they also used it on the brake lines. Hopefully, somebody else knows more about what it is. If not, check with a local Metal Finisher.

[David_VG30DETT]

Interesting question. I know quite a bit about metals and metal working. But as you pointed out, it is treated and not painted or coated. And, I have no idea what it is specifically treated with for the Army Olive-Drab color other than a copper chemical process (gives the green patina). Whatever they used, they also used it on the brake lines. Hopefully, somebody else knows more about what it is. If not, check with a local Metal Finisher.

I also have a couple small Aluminum items (non-Nissan) from the 1940's I need Red and Blue Anodizing.
Can you recommend any companies that do "piece work" for Aluminum Anodizing. Most which I found
only do lots of 100 pieces minimum --- these two pieces are more like "collectables" from my Grandmother
I want to restore. The original Red and Blue Anodizing is severely faded.

[300ZXttZMAN]

Hmm very interesting question, I'm not familiar with this either... Let me see if I can find someone who knows more about this subject.

[David_VG30DETT]

Thanx TTZ_Man --- You of all folks know how immaculate this Z is.
I just want to preserve it that way.

If anyone has a contact inside Nissan North America who can advise
for restorative purposes that would be a great asset to follow up on.

I would even go so far as to ship the piece to Japan for their "factory" coating
if need be.

[elwesso]

I work right next to a place that can do small batches, we send them small batches of things to be plated all the time. They can plate about anything.

http://www.frankeplatingworks.com/

If nothing else, these guys know what they're talking about so they may be able to help you determine what was done so that you can find someone to do it for you. I think there's also a place here local to me that does piecework anodizing as well (I don't think Franke does anodizing).

[300ZXttZMAN]

Thanx TTZ_Man --- You of all folks know how immaculate this Z is.
I just want to preserve it that way.

If anyone has a contact inside Nissan North America who can advise
for restorative purposes that would be a great asset to follow up on.

I would even go so far as to ship the piece to Japan for their "factory" coating
if need be.

Yes David, I understand why you are going to such lengths to preserve this car and I support you!

One of the S chassis mods forwarded this to me: metal-surface-treatment-type-t585588.html < Look at the whole page

This guy used paint and it's not factory but it is close I was thinking you could PM the OP of that thread and ask him for more details... Maybe he knows where to get the actual coating done but opted to not do it for some reason.

[David_VG30DETT]

That link takes me back to my original thread ---

[300ZXttZMAN]

Sorry... Try this one: m-tr4nch-s-restoration-build-thread-56k ... 0-570.html
Should take you to page 20.

[AZhitman]

Looking into it as well... The coating on the brake lines is probably some of the early trials with PVF (if it feels like a thin tough film). If it's just metal coating, it's likely just an ugly layer of zinc chromate.

On the P/S reservoir, I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that it's simply a corrosion-resistant paint. I recall stripping one with aircraft paint remover and polishing the steel to a chrome-like finish, so it's certainly nothing exotic.