97 Riv - paint brake lines

[edwinn]

Another great tip from Enslow!!

While installing the new washer tank in the RF fender, I noticed the brake lines running under the chassis, behind the RF wheel were festered with rust. Yikes!! Happened to buy four 1/2 pint cans of Rustoleum enamel last week (Flat and Semi Black / Flat & Semi White.) It didn't take long to do this.. maybe an hour or two. Below are some photos.


Before - moderate to severe rust on lines








Close-up

This is ugly and scary!! Fortunately not all sections of line have rust, so it can be incrementally treated.





Sanded brake lines - could have spent more time on this step













Painted

Two outer lines (of three) were popped out of the chassis retainer clip with a spring-loaded wooden clothespin stick. Didn't dare pop out the center line. It was really tight!!









The only drawback is trying to get a brush on the UPPER side of the brake tubes. Was able to touch it up (paint the top of lines) later from inside the wheel well. You could probably treat all the brake tubes in one day.. certainly in one weekend, but it's best to start with the Right Front chassis where three of the four tubes are routed, or wherever your lines concentrate to the pressure valve.


From RF wheel well - wheel house panel (shroud) removed




With a little `brake line painting´ experience, it should be easy to hit the rest of the system.


-Ed

[maxwedge]

I did something similar on my 2003 Lesabre but used a rust encapsulator first.

[edwinn]

Originally Posted by maxwedge

I did something similar on my 2003 Lesabre but used a rust encapsulator first.

Yeah.. well as mentioned I bought a few half-pint cans the other day.





Don't forget a supply of cheapy brushes. Lol





Here's another view from this morning with the garage door shut.. this time with the RF tire in view for reference.

Cool lookin' huh! ( is that the serpentine belt exposed under there?? )




Easy choice of paint for a white vehicle. Either flat or gloss..white and black.

All this crawlin' around on the concrete floor makes by 50+ y/o bod' ache.


-Ed

[enslow]

I'm not sure about Rustoleum, I can't remember what luck I've had with it. Most rust paints (Tremclad etc) don't do any good. I know that wherever I've used POR-15 I never see rust again. With POR-15 you can pretty much paint over rust with very little prep.

Ed, your brake lines were actually in pretty good shape. Makes mine seem kinda scarey huh?

[HotZ28]

+1 on the POR-15. When I restored my 85 Caprice, I did the whole undercarriage with POR-15. When using this product, you will never see rust again where applied.

[edwinn]

Originally Posted by HotZ28

+1 on the POR-15. When I restored my 85 Caprice, I did the whole undercarriage with POR-15.
When using this product, you will never see rust again where applied.

Nice!!

Suppose you got the brake lines while at it.


Here are a few links to PDF docs on the POR website.

http://www.por15.com/Data%20Sheets/n...directions.pdf

http://www.por15.com/Data%20Sheets/c...directions.pdf

http://www.por15.com/Data%20Sheets/P...cationInfo.pdf

I'll be content futzing around under there applying enamel with brushes and spray cans for now. We'll see how the Rusto' holds up on the brake tubes. Was looking underneath yesterday and can clearly see (and reach) the TWO brake tubes running along the right side ~1 ft. in from the door. Will be able to paint those in one afternoon easy!!

If I only had a lift... the underside of the Riv would be premo.


-Ed

[edwinn]

Most of Brake Lines done

Today's goal was to reinstall the RF wheel house panel, but that takes an hour or less and there was plenty of time to sand and paint the majority of the remaining BRAKE LINES. At least back to the rear axle. There are a few more feet untreated which cross underside through the frame, etc.

Here's the BEFORE view of TWO rear brake lines in the RF wheel well (behind strut) just starting to rust.




Preparation

This time I sanded the lines with 100 grit aluminum oxide cut to 1" wide x 4" long to wrap around the lines (like a towel wrapped around your neck) and ran them up-down, and like a shoe shine sanding action. Then denatured alcohol was used to remove `rust dust´ and dirt. It's a good cleaning agent and it dries fast!!!


Painted lines

After prep.. Gloss White Rustoleum was applied with a 1/2" wide art brush. Here are some views:




TWO rear brake lines in the RF wheel well - AFTER




Center sections

This area is easy to access from amid-ship if lying on your back. From there you can work Fwd and Aft.




Looking forward






Looking Aft

The aft tubes had substantial rust. The cross-fitting was rusted over 100% of its surface. I'll treat the rest of the lines from the rear while painting the exhaust "from the split back" another day.




HEY...you missed a spot!!

That's about it. Only ~80% of the tubes get covered because it's difficult or impossible to paint the TOPS unless the lines are unclipped from the retainers. Not sure how to do that and don't want to break anything. Still it's pretty good and inexpensive protection.


-Ed

[Albertj]

Brake lines typically are double walled.

The "rustoleum" solution may not last all that long due to abrasion from road grit.

The Riv's brake lines are pretty much standard lengths. For under $200 you could get stainless or polymer (PVF) coated brake lines. I replaced my lines with PVF lines this year. Yes it's kind of a backache job to do but most likely it's "once and done."