Painting my hood hinges, what's the best method?

I have hood hinges with springs already installed. What's the best method to spray them (rattle can)? Was thinking of doing it with them in the closed position for a light coat or two and then in the open position since that's how they will be seen when the hood is up. Pivot points will be left alone to avoid any binding from paint. What's your opinions, methods, tips, etc?

When I started on mine, they had several coats of paint and some grease. I gooped them up heavily in aircraft stripper and wrapped in plastic for a couple of hours then pressure washed. Paint, grease ect. came right off. Then emory cloth for the surface rust, rust stop primer and finish.

As long as you don't lay the paint on heavy, it won't bother the pivot points. I just applied light coats until it was all covered. I painted with them open from memory and got good coverage ('70E, others may be different).

A little shot of lube on the pivots after installation and it was good. Has held up well.

What he said.

No rust, brand new out of the bag. Might just wipe them down and spray them. Thanks.

Here is a shot of the ones I have. The shiny ones are junk. Was debating on painting them or if this coating is fine for durability. A closer shot of the ones going on.

Even Brand New, they may have a film coating of lubricant, etc, from production processes. It is still a good idea to clean, degrease and prep before you paint.

There is a product in most Autoparts Stores called "Prep Sol" that works to clean prior to painting. If any grease or silicone is on those spring hinges, the paint will Fisheye.


Once everything is clean and dry, primer and allow it to fully dry, then paint as you wish. You might want to hang it from a coat hanger as you will want to spray it from all angles and let it dry unmolested.

Springs are difficult to paint well and achieve full and even coats of paint. Sometimes, I remove the spring, then suspend it using a suitable weight to cause the coils to expand, primer, paint and allow to dry in the expanded condition, otherwise there will be no paint or thin spots where the coils touch.

Best to start with light fogging coats of primer, then same with the paint to avoid runs and drips.

Will wipe them down to be on the safe side and then prime and paint. I planned on hanging them from a wire to paint and let them dry that way. That's why I was thinking of closing the hinges so the springs are spread out a bit and paint a light coat where areas are exposed that may not be when hinges are open. Just have to find an area to hang them so the wife or kids don't touch them.