Painting Springs

[jhjacobs]

I just picked up a set of Carl's springs, sway bars, and new Bilstiens. They probably will sit in the garage until the weather warms a bit. The sway bars are a freaky lime-lizard green, the shocks are standard yellow w/light blue bellows, and the springs are unpainted shiny silver. I've also ordered the Carr industry red/orange bushings. At one point I was considering painting my calipers red (thinking the spring would be red too) but now I have a major color coordination problem unless I am shooting for a really psychedelic 60's look.:shock: I think the solution may to paint the springs and the sway bars (probably red).

So, does anyone have any recommendations for suitable paint and a priming process for springs? Rattle can epoxy paint?

The sway bars should be possible to just lightly sand and then paint over paint. The springs appear to be unfinished bright steel. I could wipe them with acetone and paint but I suspect that adhesion may still be a problem with some paint.

 

[AndyM]

I exclusively use Endura products for suspension parts and anything that needs a high-quality, durable finish. Its pretty much the next best thing to powder-coating (and better in many ways). I even used it to paint the intake log, runners, oil pan and all of the other cast aluminum bits on my engine -- still looks as good as the day I did it. Start with the expoxy primer, then use the EX-2C top coat. Really easy to work with.

http://www.endura.ca/

I will note that I have not used it on coil springs, so you may want to check whether it is flexible enough to avoid cracking. I suspect it is, but can't confirm from first-hand experience.

 

[Bryce]

Hi, are you sure the springs are unpainted? The ones I got from Carl are shiny silver powder coated.

 

[jhjacobs]

Thanks. They have something called EX-2C SFC Topcoat which is supposed to be "super flexible." I will contact a reseller to get their opinion Then again, with all of the goofy part colors I have what could be more hideous that using their EX-2C Fluorescent Topcoat!

 

[jhjacobs]

Hi, are you sure the springs are unpainted? The ones I got from Carl are shiny silver powder coated.

I think you are right about the powder coat - I just did a close up inspection under bright light. I've been handling them in my garage in poor winter light. I think I may still paint them because the silver is not very imaginative - it also looks like it wants to rust!