Can a pot metal hinge be fixed?

I got a really nice set of trunk hinges for my '37 Buick but unfortunately they were shipped with about 20 pounds of door hinges and one trunk hinge was cracked in transit.



Plating and pot metal experts can this be fixed? I know it'd have to rechromed, bummer because they were in nice enough condition to use as is on my car. I just want to know if the broke piece hand be welding together. Also, with a piece like this does it have to be taken apart to rechrome?

 

I'm going to say no, they can be soldered to fill holes and be made pretty, but I have not heard of any way to reattach them well enough to be used in service like a hinge requires. Gene

 

I am wondering if it might be possible to disassemble (press out hinge pin) have the chrome "deplated"........following that, heavily copper plated and then the broken parts silver soldered (or other suitable form of bonding metal).

If that isn't feasible, and it may not be, then I would attempt to make a part from brass that matches the broken part.

Of course, all that assumes you can't find a good used one ............

Ray

 

If repairing it is your only option you will have to dis- assemble it.

Then the broken part can be repaired using Alladin 3 in 1 rod.

After that it can be re-plated.

http://www.aladdin3in1.com/products/3in1rod.php

 

I have a 40 Merc grill center I will getting repaired soon. This thread should answer your questions, it helped me with mine.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=76918

 

Since its pot metal and the break is rough, why not try to jb weld it. You could rough up the underside of it more to make it stronger. Worth a shot, it's already broken right?

 

I was considering doing that and also a thin piece of sheet metal on the.bottom side for reinforcement but I didn't want to contaminate the parts and make it harder to replate if it didn't work.

 

if all else fails.you could repair it enough to have a new part sand casted.not to hard to do.do it at home.

 

I would carefully drill (dremel?) a hole in both pieces and put a pin in it. Make the hole larger than the pin because you'll never get the holes to line up perfectly, then fill the holes with JB weld and put a loose pin in it and put the pieces together. Or do the same using those aluminum soldering rods. They're tricky to use though especially on pot metal which gives no warning before it melts. Either way, I'd definitely try to get a pin (piece of nail?) in it.

OR, that piece really doesn't look that hard to make with only a drill, cutoff wheel and bench grinder. Get a chunk of steel the right size and drill the hole, the space between the tabs could be cut out using a cut off wheel, and then start grinding away at it on the bench grinder. Finish up with files and sandpaper.

 

I'd go with this method. Much faster and cheaper than stripping chrome, specialist welding/soldering and rechroming. Could be done in an afternoon and there's be no chance of it breaking away again. Could even be done in aluminium and then polished at home. Alternatively, if it was done in brass it would chrome really well.

 

I've both fixed broken pot metal, and also have had a real pro do it for me. IMHO, for cosmetic repairs, it can be done very successfully. For anything under stress (I had an Olds window frame done) it doesn't seem to hold up well.
The pinning method might work, along with TIGing, Muggyweld, or silver solder. But there is a LOT of stress on a trunk hinge!

 

x2.

 

Welding die cast zinc based metals is indeed possible and can be done with good workable strength.
Gas welding ( oxy-acetylene) is used . The item will need to be dismantled, stripped of chrome , and it is best to find another broken one (the same) to slice up to make filler rods.( Lots of different content in the actual metal, from place to place and year to year, maybe even batch to batch... ).

All this is probably not worthwhile for these hinges when you can buy new investment cast stainless steel hinges.
http://www.vintageandclassicreproductions.com/buick.htm
Scroll down to 1937 ...make sure you get the Fisher body ones not the Aussie body ones.

If you still want to try welding . PM me, I will sent you a copy of the welding procedure that I use

 

I worked with a guy who use to TIG weld it! But seriously by the time you grind, weld, sand, replate & all that shit you can buy a new one!
JimV

 

The problem with these hinges is they break fairly easy when removing the trunk lid, it's two person operation. I'm just bummed because were really nice parts and if they would have packaged better this one would not broke.

I've known about the SS reproduction hinges but I didn't want to cough up that kind $$$. I also thought making a replacement out stainless but don't I could a good enough job. I posted wondering if a repair could be possible.

 

Then the answer would be yes! Find the best TIG welder you can & have them weld it from the back( Maybe you can drive the pin out & just bring them 1/2)Then when there done get a dremel & clean up the back.That way it might not be too noticable from the front & you wouldn't have to have it plated.
jimV

 

It can be tig welded with pot metal rod and be as strong as new.Has to be done by an expierienced welder with pot metal.