How To & DIY

How To Coat Engine and Small Parts for Rust Prevention with Black Oxide

When it comes to working on old cars, the battle against rust is never-ending.

In this Hagerty DIY video short, Davin Reckow walks you through blackening your steel and cast-iron parts with black oxide in order to add a layer of protection against rust and corrosion.

What is Insta-Blak 333

Insta-Blak 333 is an immersion/swab-on blackening solution that results in a smooth satin black finish on tools, steel and cast-iron surfaces.

Use Insta-Blak 333 to:

  • Coat metal items with a glossy, grey-black finish
  • Blacken metal parts at room temperature in only 1–5 minutes
  • Achieve clean, smut-free finishes and dimensional stability
  • Reduce heating and energy costs
  • Avoid hazardous caustic fume
  • Blacken cold- and hot-rolled steels, cast iron, powdered metals, tool steels, and sterling silver

Insta-Blak 333 is a black-oxide process designed to make in-house blackening simpler, faster, and more effective while still achieving an aesthetically pleasing black finish.

One gallon of un-diluted Insta-Blak 333 concentrate can coat approximately 400–500 sq. ft. of metal part surface.

EPi offers 2-liter trial kits and 5-gallon short-run production kits for short-term projects. Learn more about what is included in the trial kit and the short-run production kit.​

More info on the Insta-Blak 333 product here: https://www.epi.com/black-oxide/steel/room/insta-blak-333/

Using Insta-Blak 333 to Blacken Steel and Cast Iron

How To Blacken Steel and Cast Iron Using Black Oxide Coating

  1. Clean

    In a steel container, thoroughly clean the parts in a 10% by volume solution of E-Kleen SR 148-E and 90% by volume of water. The cleaning time will depend upon the type and degree of soil present on the metal surfaces and the concentration and temperature of the E-Kleen SR-148-E solution.

  2. Rinse

    Using a plastic container, rinse the parts for 1-2 minutes in clear running room temperature water.

  3. Activate (optional)

    Using a plastic container, activate the surface of the parts in a 20% by volume E-Prep 258 solution and 80% by volume water for 2 minutes for optimal activation at room temperature.

  4. Rinse (if Activated)

    Using a plastic container, rinse the parts for 1-2 minutes in clear running room temperature water.

  5. Blacken

    In a plastic container, blacken the parts in a 10% by volume solution of Insta-Blak 333 and 90% by volume of water at room temperature for 2-5 minutes.

  6. Rinse

    Using a plastic container, rinse the parts for 1-2 minutes in clear running room temperature water.

  7. Seal and Finish

    In a steel container, seal the finish and enhance the depth of blackness.

    Option 7a. For an oily finish: use E-Tec 501
    Option 7b. For a slightly oily to a semi-dry finish: use E-Tec 503
    Option 7c. For a soft, non-tacky, dry-to-the-touch finish: E-Tec 504 or E-Tec 505+

    Place the blackened parts into the E-Tec solution of your choice, and agitate 6-12 times up and down (about 1-2 minutes).

    Air dry for 15-30 minutes.

    Typically, 24 hours later, the part will be blacker as the oil absorbs into the blackened finish

Also of Interest:

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