Russel fittings ugly film at the joints??

Hey guys, I went to the local speedshop a couple of weeks ago to get some fittings, a couple of 90 degree -6an fittings. they jus thad the russel brand. looking through the packaging I could see they had an ugly film around the joints. I figured it was probably just dirt collecting on some sort of adhesive that was on there and that it would come off with a bit of help.

i opened one and before using tried to scratch a bit off, not only did it not just come off but the anodizing came off too! (I used the back of my knife blade figuring the crud would come off before the finish!) then I tried a nylon brush, no luck. you can see what I am talking about on the russelperformance website, there is a picture of a 90 degree fitting on the homepage that has the film. on that one it looks white on the black finish. on mine it looks dirty, not good. I can't see spending hundreds of bucks plumbing the fuel lines only to have fittings that looks like crap.

So why I am I writing? I have a few questions:

1. do summit brand fittings have this nasty film?
2. anybody know of a way to just clean this off?
3. what is this crap anyways?

http://www.clubhotrod.com/photopost/data/500/russel.jpg

I also want to warn all of you, if you want your engine to look good and a 15 dollar part to look like it is worth 15 dollars don't buy russel brand fittings.

Red

You could always switch to Aeroquip, looks the same

If you are talking about the change in color where the fittings are welded, that is normal since the welding process changes the aluminum structure. Different aluminum alloys and different hardnesses take color differently.....you will always see the welds.

Anodize is about one thousdanth of an inch thick (0.001"). Type II scratches off relatively easily. ALuminum oxidizes (rusts) within 15 minutes of being scratched but it rusts in aluminum color...not red or blue so it is noticeable.

maybe it isn't clear enough in the pic, but that doesn't look like a weld to me. it is an actual film of some sort on top of the annodizing. Looking at th epics of the aeroquip on the summit site they don't look like they have it. the pics of the summit brand though are hard to tell. maybe I should get some and compare before I take this one back. I think I have one at the house actually I can compare, I don't remember it being this way.

Red

Where on your picture is the film? Is it the textured looking finish on the tube portion? Is it on the nut? The picture does not make the film stand out.

Mike

Could it possibly be a sealer of some type?

whey all look like that like said .what is where it is brazed in the joints

I don't know if Russel ever improved their braided stainless, but I tried some about 9-10 years ago and it was crap.

Went to Earls for fittings and braided line.
No probs there.

Use Aeroquip fittings now and then as well.
No probs there either.

i ahve not had any problems with my russel stuff in 6 years that they ahve been on the car. mine have a film but its dirt it washes off. :D and i am not trying to start a fight with you, but is that really that noticeable thats kind anal. :LOL:

It's noticeable man, I have the fitting sitting on my desk here. since these two fittings are going to be at the top, going from the pressure regulator to the fuel log, right in front of the carburetor they're going clearly visible. might be anal, but for 15 dollars it shouldn't have some dirty looking sealer on it.

oh well. gonna try the summit or aeroquip

Red

Have you talked to Russell.....?\
Your supplier may have been using seconds or blems for his stock ,they are much cheaper than the regular price on his end......
Russell may exchange them at no cost or..............?

I encountered the same thing with Russell fittings, tried cleaning them off all to no avail. I'd bought them from Summit and sent them back at no charge for shipping, both ways, to me after talking with a "tech" and customer service. Worth a try!
I ended up using Earl's fittings on everything for the fuel system. I'd ordered a couple of Summit fittings but their anodizing is a different color than Earl's...sent them back also(yeah a bit anal, I know ;)). FWIW.

g.r. i had to comment on your signature, it helped me avoid a fight tonight, came home was gonna go back looking for the guy which is stupid, thanks man....

I try to live by it but it is sometimes difficult to do...to many bad genes in the gene pool today and once you encounter an idiot no matter what you do to him he is still an idiot...thus the signature line.
Hope you have a great day....everyday!

thanks man ,