Tamiya SRB Metals?

[mikedealer]

does anyone know exactly what kind of metal SRB parts are made from? like arms, front towers, tranny cases etc. is it a aluminum or steel? i imagine its like a aluminum, just poured?

[CamplinP]

Pretty sure it is some type of aluminum alloy. Not sure which one. I just got done polishing mine with aluminum polish. Looks sharp.

[mikedealer]

got some pics? i was contemplating chroming them, one way or another.

[CamplinP]

I will take some here shortly. It is not quite like chrome due to its porisity(is that a word?), but look way better than stock IMO. I could have spent more time on them too.

[scr8p]

i thought those parts were pot metal..........

[CamplinP]

They might be. All I know is that is a heavy ass car even when comparing it to a gold pan. They shine up nicely whatever they are made of.

[GJW]

i thought those parts were pot metal..........

yes your correct jason, pot metal indeed.

[CamplinP]

It looks much better in person. The lower res pictures and the flash dull it somewhat. The shocks have not been done yet.

[Lowgear]

i thought those parts were pot metal..........

You beat me to it. Pot metal is what the consensus has been all these years. Bruiser, HiLux, etc... axles and 3-speed transmissions are all pot metal as well.

[shodog]

They use only the finest recycled pot metal from hot wheels and Matchbox cars to make those parts.

[CamplinP]

They must have some formula as the parts are consistant and virtually the same as they were 30 years ago. These alloys usually have quite a bit of aluminum, zinc, and tin in them which is probably why they can be polished easily.

[mikedealer]

was thinking of trying to have some chrome plated.. they'll be test parts first, i know pot metal doesnt hold plating too well though

[CamplinP]

It will be an interesting expriment. There are alot of set screws and places where tolerances are needed for recessed parts. I used a 1" felt polishing wheel on my Dremmel and some blue Mothers polish from an auto parts store. The front arms do look like they were plated and pretty flawless. I would be interested in seeing what a plated part looks like if the plating can be done on these. I plan on spending more time on the rest. The gearbox is a PITA.

[scr8p]

car companies used to chrome plate pot metal all of the time.

[mikedealer]

ill give it a shot on some parts, worst comes to worst i have to re-tap some holes