Advice needed for rustproofing heater hose clamps (2 Viewers)

[BeerM3]

Hey Mud,
I've searched here and around the googleverse, but I'm having trouble deciding what the best option is. I'm in the process of rebuilding my front & rear heaters which has evolved into re-doing the full hose lines, replacing stuck water control valve, painting and powder coating the housing, replacing foam, etc.

The original hose clamps cleaned up very nicely with Evapo-rust but now I need to determine the best method for deterring future rust (I know there's no such thing as rust "proof"). I could try a DIY zinc plating kit, leave them as-is and hit them with occasional WD-40 spritz, spray with a clear coat, etc. There are a lot of opinions out there so I figured a few more wouldn't hurt? There aren't any plating co's very close.

Thanks in advance.

 

[John Smith]

I'd leave them exactly like you have them now. They cleaned up very nicely, but still show their age.

 

[mattressking]

Zinc plate them

 

[ginmtb]

Or you can buy @Racer65 's stainless versions...

 

[kevos37]

Or you can buy @Racer65 's stainless versions...

2X on @Racers65's

 

[BeerM3]

Or you can buy @Racer65 's stainless versions...

Ah. Thanks! I wondered if there were matching stainless versions. Not sure if I'm ready to spring for those....yet.

 

[AdamKFarmer]

Get them zinc plated. that's the best option.

 

[BeerM3]

Get them zinc plated. that's the best option.

Thanks. Zinc plating novice question: Because the screws don't back completely out there will always be some thread covered by the nut. Does the zinc find its way in there anyway or does it leave an uncoated spot? I wasn't a stellar chemistry student but I do remember that ions are pretty small

 

[AdamKFarmer]

Thanks. Zinc plating novice question: Because the screws don't back completely out there will always be some thread covered by the nut. Does the zinc find its way in there anyway or does it leave an uncoated spot? I wasn't a stellar chemistry student but I do remember that ions are pretty small

I think you might get some coverage there, but not as much as the fully exposed areas.

 

[thecrazygreek]

zinc plate them at home. Super easy..
get a pale (half a gallon should do it)
Get some zinc (amazon sells cheap bars)
Get a car batt charger or even use a double A battery
A bit of wire
Some Arm & hammer Washing soda (specifically that name) (you can buy it everywhere)
Water
Vinegar

One wire to part(s) (from the batt) (Cathode)
One wire to Zinc (from the batt) (Anode)
Put water in pale along with 3 tbs of soda (and a tbs of vinegar (any kind)
Dip into water
wait a few minutes
Done!

 

[curtislow]

zinc plate them at home. Super easy..
get a pale (half a gallon should do it)
Get some zinc (amazon sells cheap bars)
Get a car batt charger or even use a double A battery
A bit of wire
Some Arm & hammer Washing soda (specifically that name) (you can buy it everywhere)
Water
Vinegar

One wire to part(s) (from the batt) (Cathode)
One wire to Zinc (from the batt) (Anode)
Put water in pale along with 3 tbs of soda (and a tbs of vinegar (any kind)
Dip into water
wait a few minutes
Done!

I gotta ask, and I know it may be a dumb question.Were stainless steel items like hose clamps available when these trucks were built, and I kinda think they were.Did they use the stainless steel clamps in the automotive industry with new vehicles or was it to expensive back then?
Seems to me stailness steel items are now readily available for a decent price and rustproofing old stuff that rusts makes no sense. Aluminum used to be expensive, now it's used all the time and is relitively cheap.I'm just asking the question ,is a stainless steel clamp like racer65 sells gonna outlast a coated steel part from the seventies, and if it does why bother?
I know,money and I'm as thrifty as the next guy,maybe triftier if thats a word.

 

[BeerM3]

zinc plate them at home. Super easy..
get a pale (half a gallon should do it)
Get some zinc (amazon sells cheap bars)
Get a car batt charger or even use a double A battery
A bit of wire
Some Arm & hammer Washing soda (specifically that name) (you can buy it everywhere)
Water
Vinegar

One wire to part(s) (from the batt) (Cathode)
One wire to Zinc (from the batt) (Anode)
Put water in pale along with 3 tbs of soda (and a tbs of vinegar (any kind)
Dip into water
wait a few minutes
Done!

Awesome. I want to give that a try just for the science geek factor! (no offense)