Metro Parts Market
Automotive Lines
Frequently Asked Questions
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  • Stainless Steel or Original Material, what should I buy? 
  • Will my new Stainless Steel lines leak? I've heard they are harder to seal. 
  • My car has been converted from drum brakes to disc in the front. Which lines should I order? 
  • I don't see my car listed, can you help me? 
  • What is a C.N.C. Bender? Does Fine Lines use C.N.C. Benders? 
  • Does Fine Lines use Stainless Steel fittings? 
  • My old lines have "spring stuff" wrapped around them. What is it for? Will my new Fine Lines also have it? 
  • How do I remove a shipping bend? 
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    Stainless Steel or Original Material, what should I buy? 
    Frankly, it's buyer's choice!   If you plan to sell your car withIn a few years, then Original Material is probably your best bet.  The lines will look nice for 2 to 5 years depending on how your car is cared for.  Stainless steel only looks better long term.  However, if you plan to keep your car long term, say more than 5 years, then Stainless Steel will still look like new!   Don't fool yourself by thinking that adding clear coat paint will be just as good.  The cost difference is minimal compared to the annual maintenance.
    Will my new Stainless Steel lines leak? I've heard they are harder to seal. 
    Stainless Steel lines ARE harder to seal, particularly when they are being installed in a used component. Stainless material is harder than the original material, and lacks the soft lead/tin coating.  The seat in a used valve, or other used part usually has an impression left by the original flare.  The harder Stainless material does not conform as easily to the old impression.  By following a few simple extra steps this problem can be virtually eliminated.  We recommend the use of "Permatex #14a Thread Sealant with Teflon".  This product comes in a small tube, and is available at most hardware stores.  A dab placed on the tube under the fitting, plus a dab on the threads will usually eliminate any sealing problems.
    My car has been converted from drum brakes to disc in the front. Which lines should I order? 
    Honestly, you should probably call us with the particulars so that we can be sure that you're buying what you need for your car.  There are usually changes in the valve used with disc brakes as compared to drum brakes.  There are also numerous after market disc brake conversion packages available.  If you can tell us exactly which components you're using we will do our best to put together a line set that will fit your needs.
    I don't see my car listed, can you help me? 
    YES! (usually) We have an extensive library of original lines from cars that we don't offer as regular production items.  These can be made to order custom for you. If we do not have the patterns you need, you can supply the original lines from your car.  In most cases we can duplicate them for you. Call us! 
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    What is a C.N.C. Bender? Does Fine Lines use C.N.C. Benders? 
    "C.N.C."stands for "Computer Numerical Control". Basically, it is a machine controlled by a computer using numerical coordinates to make parts.  No, we do not use C.N.C. benders!   However, every line listed in this catalog has been programmed for production on our programmable tube bending machines.  Nothing listed in this book is ever "hand bent".  Our bending machines are specially designed by Fine Lines, and custom built to accurately reproduce the type of parts that we make.  Actually, we have found our machines to be more flexible, and more efficient for producing short runs of a wide variety of our type of parts.
    Does Fine Lines use Stainless Steel fittings?
    No we do not.  Fine Lines uses only the original factory style, color coded fittings on our lines.  These fittings are zinc plated, with special dichromate colors added.  They come in yellow (gold), blue, black, red, purple, green, orange, olive, and more!   These factory color codes add a final detailing touch to the original look. Don't worry, your new stainless steel lines won't seize to the steel fitting.  They can't, even if the plated steel fitting would begin to oxidize, it will never seize to the stainless tube! 
    My old lines have this "spring stuff" wrapped around them. What is it for? Will my new Fine Lines also have it? 
    The "spring stuff" on your old lines is what we call "Spiral Armor". Some places call it "gravel guard" or "hose guard".  It is usually used to protect areas of the lines that might be vulnerable to stone nicks, or other road hazard damage. It is not meant for cooling purposes!   Fine Lines always uses spiral armor in the same places that it was used on the factory lines.  We have found several different types of spiral armor used on lines from different auto makers, and we do our best to reproduce the right type for each application.   By the way, our spiral armor is always Stainless Steel! 
    How do I remove a shipping bend?
    Shipping bends are clearly labeled to avoid confusing it with other bends.
    Start by "unrolling" much of the shipping bendalong the ground.
    Finish by hand straightening this section to its original configuration.
    It's that easy! In just a few minutes your new line is ready to install. 
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