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Old 12-04-2019, 07:08 PM   #1
Ian1932
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Default Painting Copper Brake Lines

WAIT! These lines are almost 90% copper. They are 1/4" NiCop which is a modern product MADE for brake lines!

So, im looking these lines and as neat as i try to be it looks like crap to me. I think i want to take them off and paint them black along with the brass unions. I havent tightened anything yet, all just finger tight. Maybe scuffing them with scotch brite, taping off the ends, some epoxy primer and then some black rattle can? Anyone do this or am i over thinking it? Its like a sore thumb...
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Old 12-04-2019, 08:47 PM   #2
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Default Re: Painting Copper Brake Lines

I think the copper will eventually oxidize and not be as noticeable. I would just leave it alone.
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Old 12-04-2019, 09:46 PM   #3
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Default Re: Painting Copper Brake Lines

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I think the copper will eventually oxidize and not be as noticeable. I would just leave it alone.
You mean that when they turn green, they will be less noticeable?
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Old 12-04-2019, 10:25 PM   #4
51 MERC-CT
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Default Re: Painting Copper Brake Lines

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WAIT! These lines are almost 90% copper. They are 1/4" NiCop which is a modern product MADE for brake lines!

So, im looking these lines and as neat as i try to be it looks like crap to me. I think i want to take them off and paint them black along with the brass unions. I havent tightened anything yet, all just finger tight. Maybe scuffing them with scotch brite, taping off the ends, some epoxy primer and then some black rattle can? Anyone do this or am i over thinking it? Its like a sore thumb...
Considering that the brake line is 90% copper, what I have used is this to blacken copper in the past.
If it works it would probably be a more durable finish than paint.
Might be worth a try.
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File Type: jpg alum black.jpg (117.7 KB, 254 views)
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Old 12-04-2019, 10:31 PM   #5
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Default Re: Painting Copper Brake Lines

I'm no metallurgist, but I believe the addition of the nickel to the alloy changes everything. One of the major advantages of NiCopp is it's resistance to corrosion. I don't believe it has much in common with unalloyed copper at all. Plus, I kind of like the look of it.

Last edited by tubman; 12-05-2019 at 07:35 AM.
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Old 12-04-2019, 11:56 PM   #6
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the solution is to drive it alot so its dusty and no one notices
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Old 12-05-2019, 02:15 AM   #7
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Default Re: Painting Copper Brake Lines

Who is going to see them once the body is on?
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Old 12-05-2019, 08:51 AM   #8
51 MERC-CT
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Default Re: Painting Copper Brake Lines

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Originally Posted by Ian1932 View Post
WAIT! These lines are almost 90% copper. They are 1/4" NiCop which is a modern product MADE for brake lines!

So, im looking these lines and as neat as i try to be it looks like crap to me. I think i want to take them off and paint them black along with the brass unions. I havent tightened anything yet, all just finger tight. Maybe scuffing them with scotch brite, taping off the ends, some epoxy primer and then some black rattle can? Anyone do this or am i over thinking it? Its like a sore thumb...
The same Aluminum Blackening will work on brass also.
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File Type: jpg A.jpg (202.0 KB, 22 views)
File Type: jpg B.jpg (211.2 KB, 24 views)
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Old 12-05-2019, 09:27 AM   #9
richard crow
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Default Re: Painting Copper Brake Lines

i had a 1930 chrysler the car had factory copper brake lines never had a prolbem car is still driven today.chrysler never made a car with mechanal brakes
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Old 12-05-2019, 09:52 AM   #10
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Default Re: Painting Copper Brake Lines

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Originally Posted by Ian1932 View Post
WAIT! These lines are almost 90% copper. They are 1/4" NiCop which is a modern product MADE for brake lines!

So, im looking these lines and as neat as i try to be it looks like crap to me. I think i want to take them off and paint them black along with the brass unions. I havent tightened anything yet, all just finger tight. Maybe scuffing them with scotch brite, taping off the ends, some epoxy primer and then some black rattle can? Anyone do this or am i over thinking it? Its like a sore thumb...
Ian, I think you are thus far doing a nice job with this project and I commend you.
The lines? My vote? Leave them. I like the detail shown in the different finishes. That's one major reason I paint my cars a color (no guys - black is not a color) - the appearance of the black frame, etc. against a colored floor pan, hmmm, hmmm, hmmm

Keep up the good work and please, keep us updated on your progress.
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Old 12-05-2019, 11:17 AM   #11
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Default Re: Painting Copper Brake Lines

Let them be as they are and naturally age.
If you paint them they will look terrible when the paint begins to chip.
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Old 12-05-2019, 11:43 AM   #12
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Default Re: Painting Copper Brake Lines

1. They'll look great from my couch.
2. Especially once the body is on
3. My dad always said, "if they're close enough to see that (meaning under your car) they need to be punched". (Assuming this car is for driving and not judging.)
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Old 12-05-2019, 12:06 PM   #13
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Default Re: Painting Copper Brake Lines

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The same Aluminum Blackening will work on brass also.
Or they also make "Brass Black".
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Old 12-05-2019, 12:33 PM   #14
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Default Re: Painting Copper Brake Lines

Replace them with stainless and be done with it. Not that expensive. Recommend Classic Tube custom bent to fit. Easy job.
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Old 12-05-2019, 02:14 PM   #15
51 MERC-CT
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Default Re: Painting Copper Brake Lines

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Or they also make "Brass Black".
Yes, I know that they have "Brass Black" but at the time I had 'Aluminum Black' and figured I would try it and it worked. (might be the same stuff with a different label)
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Old 12-06-2019, 12:03 AM   #16
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Default Re: Painting Copper Brake Lines

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Ian, I think you are thus far doing a nice job with this project and I commend you.
The lines? My vote? Leave them. I like the detail shown in the different finishes. That's one major reason I paint my cars a color (no guys - black is not a color) - the appearance of the black frame, etc. against a colored floor pan, hmmm, hmmm, hmmm

Keep up the good work and please, keep us updated on your progress.

I have not seen the pictures, but I agree. copper looks great against black. Technically black is the absence of color. But it is a color really. Same as white, total light. Both effect color. But correct, tradition sense is black and white is not a color in certain circles. My truck is black.


To go off topic. Black doesn't technically reflect light so it's considered not a color. But we see it. But we don't see ultraviolet light. Maybe that's not a color, butterflies do see it... and maybe if we could see it we would be filled with air that has color and couldn't see our hand in front of our face.

Last edited by Tinker; 12-06-2019 at 01:23 AM.
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Old 12-06-2019, 09:48 AM   #17
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Default Re: Painting Copper Brake Lines

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You mean that when they turn green, they will be less noticeable?

Copper turns black after green. At least the new copper roofs in my neighbor hood did.
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Old 12-06-2019, 10:52 AM   #18
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Default Re: Painting Copper Brake Lines

Since a 32 Ford never had any hydraulic brake lines in the first place - they will always stand out a bit.

I would not use regular paint as we all know what brake fluid does to paint - it won't last at the connections to the rear wheel cylinders. Once the paint starts to lift - it will really look like crap.

I like the looks of nicop lines - I think it will be just fine once you get the body on it and let them age just a bit.
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Old 12-06-2019, 11:03 AM   #19
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Default Re: Painting Copper Brake Lines

I used that new material on both my 35 and 36 and thought it looked great.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Brake Line Rear Backing Plate Driver.jpg (79.0 KB, 47 views)
File Type: jpg Brake Line Rear T.jpg (70.5 KB, 43 views)
File Type: jpg Rear End Assembled 1.jpg (115.4 KB, 45 views)
File Type: jpg Brake Line Mount Front Driver.jpg (86.4 KB, 43 views)
File Type: jpg Brake Line Mount Front Pass.jpg (65.5 KB, 42 views)
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Old 12-06-2019, 11:11 AM   #20
34PKUP
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Default Re: Painting Copper Brake Lines

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Copper turns black after green. At least the new copper roofs in my neighbor hood did.
Really?
Wonder how many years it will take for this statue to turn black.
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