Brake Line Question? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

69 COPO · 03-28-2005, 07:32 PM

Does anyone know how to clean up brake lines, to make them look new again? Can you sandblast or use some sort of cleaner? Thanks

JimKshortstep4x4 · 03-28-2005, 08:45 PM

Steel brake lines are zinc coated and if you use any abrasive on the lines it will remove the coating and hasten the corrosion process. I would just wash them with solvent.

Jim

Sweet72 · 03-28-2005, 08:47 PM

Don't sandblast your brake lines, it wouldn't be worth the risk of getting silica into the system and ruining everything. Replace all your lines with new steel/stainless steel tubing since the originals are 35+ yrs old and are probably corroded internally. The NAPA here sells it in various lengths already flared on both ends with fittings, you can buy a decent tubing bender and make a new set yourself. The spring material is available from www.inlinetube.com or www.rightstuffdetailing.com

69 COPO · 03-29-2005, 08:02 PM

Thanks for the info. What would you recommend going with steel lines or stainless steel? Thanks

**guyryan100** · 03-29-2005, 08:44 PM

I purchased the inline tube kit (steel) and they fit perfectly with no mods required. Stainless will look better, but who's looking at your brake lines?

flatblack67c-10 · 03-29-2005, 11:09 PM

I have used steel wool before to clean them with, and then just used some cheap rattle can clear to spray over them, looks pretty good.

72MARIO · 03-29-2005, 11:32 PM

If you do them in stainless you will never have to look at them again.

cduster · 03-30-2005, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72MARIO

If you do them in stainless you will never have to look at them again.

If you do them in stainless you will want to look at them again. They will be purddy.

Dan

71RestoRod · 03-30-2005, 12:32 AM

"Anything worth doing yourself is worth doing in stainless..."

... and I'm pretty good at spending other peoples money.

Sweet72 · 03-30-2005, 07:16 PM

I bought a stainless set including the front/rear hoses and clips from the right stuff detailing. You can get the brass flare fitting unions and tees from your NAPA. I definitely recommend the stainless lines without a doubt. One note on the stainless lines though that no-one has mentioned...the fittings on the pre-made lines are regular plated steel and WILL CORRODE when exposed to the elements!

68haywagon · 03-30-2005, 07:51 PM

Just ordered my truck a set of stainless pre-bent lines

. My 37 year old ones were beyond hope. I hope they are worth the extra money I paid for them

.

Mike

MOTHERTRUCKERS · 03-30-2005, 08:07 PM

I have a set of front power brake stainless inline tube for a 71 half ton 40.00 + shipping, new in the torn package. NO GUARANTEE ON THE FIT. I gave up and made my own.

72MARIO · 03-30-2005, 10:36 PM

Check Summit they sell stainless flare tube nuts for brake and fuel lines.

BubbaGreen · 03-30-2005, 11:17 PM

the ones inline tube sells includes the metal end fittings in stainless as well.

03-28-2005, 07:32 PM	#1
69 COPO Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: S.E. South Dakota Posts: 161	Brake Line Question? Does anyone know how to clean up brake lines, to make them look new again? Can you sandblast or use some sort of cleaner? Thanks

03-28-2005, 08:47 PM	#3
Sweet72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 1,534	Don't sandblast your brake lines, it wouldn't be worth the risk of getting silica into the system and ruining everything. Replace all your lines with new steel/stainless steel tubing since the originals are 35+ yrs old and are probably corroded internally. The NAPA here sells it in various lengths already flared on both ends with fittings, you can buy a decent tubing bender and make a new set yourself. The spring material is available from www.inlinetube.com or www.rightstuffdetailing.com __________________ '72 GMC SWB C1500 Custom, frame-off in progress. 383 SBC, 9:1CR, Comp Cams XE262H, Scat internal balanced crank, Eagle SIR 6" rods, Keith Black dish pistons, Dart Iron Eagle 72/180 heads, Weiand Stealth intake, Stewart stage I water pump, Holley 4bbl vac sec, TH350 with B&M Shift Improver Kit. 12 bolt positraction. Last edited by Sweet72; 03-28-2005 at 08:51 PM.

03-29-2005, 11:09 PM	#6
flatblack67c-10 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Dover, AR Posts: 120	I have used steel wool before to clean them with, and then just used some cheap rattle can clear to spray over them, looks pretty good. __________________ was 67 chevy swb fleet now muticolored 69 step, 350/350, 3.73 posi, converted to 5 lug, torq thrust II 17x8 front 17x9.5 rear, factory air cab, fuel cell. future plans: shaved wiper cowl, shave stake pockets, phantom grille, and silver paint... 68 camaro ss396 project 54 f*rd project truck

03-29-2005, 11:32 PM	#7
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,051	If you do them in stainless you will never have to look at them again. __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

03-30-2005, 07:16 PM	#10
Sweet72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 1,534	I bought a stainless set including the front/rear hoses and clips from the right stuff detailing. You can get the brass flare fitting unions and tees from your NAPA. I definitely recommend the stainless lines without a doubt. One note on the stainless lines though that no-one has mentioned...the fittings on the pre-made lines are regular plated steel and WILL CORRODE when exposed to the elements! __________________ '72 GMC SWB C1500 Custom, frame-off in progress. 383 SBC, 9:1CR, Comp Cams XE262H, Scat internal balanced crank, Eagle SIR 6" rods, Keith Black dish pistons, Dart Iron Eagle 72/180 heads, Weiand Stealth intake, Stewart stage I water pump, Holley 4bbl vac sec, TH350 with B&M Shift Improver Kit. 12 bolt positraction.

03-28-2005, 08:45 PM	#2
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Steel brake lines are zinc coated and if you use any abrasive on the lines it will remove the coating and hasten the corrosion process. I would just wash them with solvent. Jim

03-29-2005, 08:02 PM	#4
69 COPO Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: S.E. South Dakota Posts: 161	Thanks for the info. What would you recommend going with steel lines or stainless steel? Thanks

03-29-2005, 08:44 PM	#5
guyryan100 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 485	I purchased the inline tube kit (steel) and they fit perfectly with no mods required. Stainless will look better, but who's looking at your brake lines?

03-30-2005, 12:32 AM	#9
71RestoRod Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Evergreen, CO Posts: 492	"Anything worth doing yourself is worth doing in stainless..." ... and I'm pretty good at spending other peoples money.

03-30-2005, 07:51 PM	#11
68haywagon I'm watching you! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Levittown, PA Posts: 1,822	Just ordered my truck a set of stainless pre-bent lines . My 37 year old ones were beyond hope. I hope they are worth the extra money I paid for them . Mike __________________ 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 4WD 1993 Chevrolet C-1500 W/T - Blue - 4.3L V-6, 4 speed auto - Dad's (RIP) 1992 Chevrolet S10 - LS swap project 1968 Chevrolet C-10 longbed fleetside - sold

03-30-2005, 08:07 PM	#12
MOTHERTRUCKERS Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: BRADENTON FLA Posts: 3,269	I have a set of front power brake stainless inline tube for a 71 half ton 40.00 + shipping, new in the torn package. NO GUARANTEE ON THE FIT. I gave up and made my own. __________________ Rest in Peace Ed. Thanks for all the good times.

03-30-2005, 10:36 PM	#13
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,051	Check Summit they sell stainless flare tube nuts for brake and fuel lines. __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

03-30-2005, 11:17 PM	#14
BubbaGreen Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Cedar Park, TX Posts: 686	the ones inline tube sells includes the metal end fittings in stainless as well. __________________ 71 Chevy C-10 SWB Fleetside RamJet-350/4L60e & Compushift/3.73Posi See it at www.prismnet.com/~grzanich



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.