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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?

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

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

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.

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

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.

scr8p wrote:i thought those parts were pot metal..........

yes your correct jason, pot metal indeed.

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

scr8p wrote: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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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