Petcock Color

[MPittma100]

Has anyone repainted the Standard petcocks? If so, what was the color of paint used to match the brownish color? The OEM finish appears to be anodized, but I am not certain of that.

[jetmechmarty]

This is the original color.



I think it's called pot metal grey.

[MPittma100]

Color

This is the original color.



I think it's called pot metal grey.

Most of the ones that I have seen are a brownish color. Is that brown from age and/or fuel stains?

[jetmechmarty]

I think the brown color is from leaking fuel.

[crazy steve]

No, he's right; the standard petcocks did have some sort of 'finish' on them. Not exactly a paint, and it wasn't anodizing either. Looked more like a 'coating' (like they were dipped in something; maybe thin paint)). The original color was black, but it was slightly transparent so it looked a bit like 'blueing' like you'd find on a firearm. It turned brown as it faded...

[MPittma100]

Blueing

No, he's right; the standard petcocks did have some sort of 'finish' on them. Not exactly a paint, and it wasn't anodizing either. Looked more like a 'coating' (like they were dipped in something; maybe thin paint)). The original color was black, but it was slightly transparent so it looked a bit like 'blueing' like you'd find on a firearm. It turned brown as it faded...

Hi Steve,

I did notice after cleaning them in an ultrasonic cleaner that the color did change to black. Maybe "blueing" could be an option. I will look into it.

Thanks

[jetmechmarty]

Well then, I stand corrected. I bought a new XS650 Heritage Special back in the day. On that bike, even the carburetors were black. I just have no recollection of there ever being color on the vacuum fuel valve. I still have that bike. If there ever was color, it's gone now.

[crazy steve]

You can't use blueing as it's a chemical reaction on steel and won't work on aluminum. I'd try a light coat of powdercoat...

[MPittma100]

Thanks

You can't use blueing as it's a chemical reaction on steel and won't work on aluminum. I'd try a light coat of powdercoat...

Glad to know, was going to get some tomorrow.

[DiverRay]

If you have a body shop close by, you could see if they are going to be painting with a two part black. Prep and tape the parts, hand them over with a sixpack, and see what you get back. Just let them know you only need a LIGHT dusting, and it should look good.

[MPittma100]

Petcock Color

After some research and talking to different XSives, I have come to the conclusion that the Standard petcocks were originally black in color. Did not look like paint. Looked more like anodizing - or some type of plating. It appears that after a lot of years the coating fades to brown. I looked into anodizing them myself, but did not want to invest time and money into turning my house into a laboratory. I did find a place in Lilburn, GA that anodizes parts.

After a through cleaning of all parts and polishing the seat for the diaphragm O-rings, I decided to go the DIY route and paint them black.

There is a picture in the Yamaha service manual that shows cleaning of the petcocks. In the picture the petcock appears to be black.

[motoman]

After some research and talking to different XSives, I have come to the conclusion that the Standard petcocks were originally black in color. Did not look like paint. Looked more like anodizing - or some type of plating. It appears that after a lot of years the coating fades to brown. I looked into anodizing them myself, but did not want to invest time and money into turning my house into a laboratory. I did find a place in Lilburn, GA that anodizes parts.

After a through cleaning of all parts and polishing the seat for the diaphragm O-rings, I decided to go the DIY route and paint them black.

There is a picture in the Yamaha service manual that shows cleaning of the petcocks. In the picture the petcock appears to be black.

If those are off the Venturer, they originally had just a coating on them that eventually turned kinda brown, and as years wear on, dissapears. Painted, they were NOT. Just sayin', since I bought my Venturer new.

[ViperRon]

I purchased mine new the color on the petcocks was about the same color as what they treat some bolts with. Its like a greyish black but has sort of a brownish blue tinge. It is not a solid color more like a dip they put them in to prevent oxidation. The same coating was on bolts clamping the fork tubes the clamps for the carb mounts the bolts mounting intake boots to the head and most any other frame bolt that were not chrome. When gas set on the coating for a while it dissolved into a really brownish color. I forget where I have seen it but there was a company that sold a dip can with this treatment for bolts and I think it was an aviation company dealing with home made planes and helicopters. It does not hold up well to any solvents but if undisturbed protects well from oxidation.