[asennad]

My brake lines are looking a little rusty. Plan on changing them in the spring.

What type (material) should I use? Are the common generic lines I see in auto parts stores any good?
Should I make up my own or buy premade?
How do I cut them, bend them, flare them? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

[willys36@aol.com]

You have a couple of options. Stianless steel line is available from hot rod shops - expensive but polishes up nicely. The other option is standard steel line and the auto parts store stuff is as good as any. You can get an inexpensive tubing bender from Harbor Freight but for the smaller line sizes, you can bend it by hand to very small radii. Easy to bend and doesn't collapse readily. Really nice stuff to work with. Use the stock parts store lengths wherever possible. If you must make custom lengths, you will need to buy, rent, or borrow a double flaring tool. Relatively expensive for a one-off job, around $50 as I recall but don't quote me. Brake line must have a double flare (tip of tubing bends inward back on itself so there is a double thickness in the flare) or it will crack and leak in service.

Investigate areas on your car where you can use this stuff. You can make custom fuel lines, oil lines, vacuum lines, etc., etc. It is a great general purpose tool.

[PrimeMover]

The standard 3/16" steel lines are fine and are cheaper and much easier to deal with then stainless. The tailor-made, ready-flared lines found at the local auto parts store will work good for some applications but there will ALWAYS be places where a custom length will be needed.

Be advised that brake lines use an inverted or "double lap flare." There are tools available that do that job well. An "Imp" mini tubing cutter workes well to cut the lines to size.

Ever wonder how they get those nice factory looking lines made? They bend and cut a stiff piece of wire to length and fit then build a line just like it.

Good luck.

[hiimed]

PrimeMover-
I'm re-running some brake lines this weekend. I've always used the measure and eye ball method. I'm going to try using the wire first and see what happens. Sounds like a good idea. It's one of those simple solutions that makes you say Hmmm.

[badA31]

I always use the common steel stuff and then tape off the fittings and paint them with a foam brush and black por 15 (after a wipedown with solvent) The stuff dries rock hard and lasts forever. The lines on my street rod have been in service 14 years.

[hiimed]

What is black por 15?

[badA31]

DUDE!! You don't know what por15 is??? Well, go to <a href="http://www.por15.com" target="_blank">www.por15.com</a> You're about to enter a world of wonderful things. I've been using it for years and it's great stuff. It's one of those rare products that actually does what it claims. Basically, it's a paint-like coating that can be used over rust or treated bare metal. It's base is the same chemical used in krazy glue. A little pricey but worth it. They have a bunch of new products.

[hiimed]

I just went to the web site for POR 15. It sounds like some great stuff. In Phoenix I don't have much problem with rust but it sounds like it would hold up pretty well on my undercarriage.

[PrimeMover]

When you're using Por 15, if you get any on your hands, get it off ASAP... Once it dries it's like a tattoo - there's nothing short of a skin graft that'll get rid of it. It has to wear off.

Yes it IS good stuff indeed! I did my frame rails with it.