Posted By: BADBEE
Leaf springs, natural or painted? - 02/17/09 02:13 PM
What is the correct finish?
Leaf springs, natural or painted?
Posted By: hemi68charger
Re: Leaf springs, natural or painted? - 02/17/09 02:47 PM
depends on the year... From what I've gathered on here, more often than not, '68 and earlier were natural whereas '69 and later painted black..
I'm sure someone else will have input...
I'm sure someone else will have input...
Posted By: RoadRunnerJD
Re: Leaf springs, natural or painted? - 02/17/09 06:35 PM
It is different for E-body cars than it is for B-Body's? My 69 Runner had black springs but I don't know if they were painted or if they were black from the tempering process? It did not seem like the black would flake off or scrape off. I used Eastwood's zinc phosphate spray paint on mine and it gave them a dark, natural steel look rather than a painted look. I left the clamps natural and just clear coated them with a satin clear. If you look at the side view of my car in the photos on the attached signature, you can get a good idea of how the springs look. No one ever suggested that they looked incorrect but I've seen them done differently on some other cars.
Posted By: BADBEE
Re: Leaf springs, natural or painted? - 02/17/09 06:56 PM
This is a 70 Cuda that we are working on.
Posted By: hemi68charger
Re: Leaf springs, natural or painted? - 02/17/09 07:05 PM
Here are mine.. Since it's a '68, I left them natural. Rebuilt the spring assembly with the total rebuild kits you can get. I Matte cleared them prior to installation to retain the natural look while maintaining corrosion control.
If painted, I believe the complete assembled spring, minus the hangers and shackle of course, is painted black to include the clamps..
If painted, I believe the complete assembled spring, minus the hangers and shackle of course, is painted black to include the clamps..
Posted By: THESHAKERPROJECT
Re: Leaf springs, natural or painted? - 02/17/09 08:23 PM
Most I have seen were natural for E-Bodys. 
Posted By: Slim Smitty
Re: Leaf springs, natural or painted? - 02/18/09 06:49 AM
Quote:
I Matte cleared them prior to installation to retain the natural look while maintaining corrosion control.
What brand of clear did you use? I've used Eastwood's satin clear on a few parts, it really made them look satin and not natural. I'm also concerned it will get white marks if it's scratched. Just wondering if you're using something different. If the springs are cleared in that pic, they look pretty good.
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: Leaf springs, natural or painted? - 02/18/09 12:50 PM
Another thing to be concerned about when using clear on bare metal parts,is that sooner or later rust will form under the clear coat.Ask me and many others how we know!
Posted By: hemi68charger
Re: Leaf springs, natural or painted? - 02/18/09 12:55 PM
Quote:
Another thing to be concerned about when using clear on bare metal parts,is that sooner or later rust will form under the clear coat.Ask me and many others how we know!
Not to doubt you since I used it, but how-so from a curious point of view?
Posted By: hemi68charger
Re: Leaf springs, natural or painted? - 02/18/09 12:57 PM
Quote:Quote:
I Matte cleared them prior to installation to retain the natural look while maintaining corrosion control.
What brand of clear did you use? I've used Eastwood's satin clear on a few parts, it really made them look satin and not natural. I'm also concerned it will get white marks if it's scratched. Just wondering if you're using something different. If the springs are cleared in that pic, they look pretty good.
I used this.. You usually can pick some up at Hobby Lobby or order it online, google Krylon Matte
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: Leaf springs, natural or painted? - 02/18/09 02:27 PM
One of the resto shops told me that moisture gets trapped under the aerosol type clear coats and eventually will develope flash/surface rust on the part.He told me this after I had sprayed some of my parts and sure enough after a few months the rust appeared.Of course it was trapped under the clear coat so I had to strip off the clear coat to get to the rust.Now he also told me that if it is sprayed with a gun you're less likely to have this problem.I hope you guys don't run into this problem,but me and a few of my other buddies did.
Posted By: gtx69
Re: Leaf springs, natural or painted? - 02/18/09 02:28 PM
Who sells the rebuilt kit?
Posted By: THESHAKERPROJECT
Re: Leaf springs, natural or painted? - 02/18/09 05:28 PM
On natural steel I have use a product called Boesheild T9 ...kinda like a clear spray wax used for aircraft landing gear rust protection. If you drive your cars in the rain then I would paint the springs a natural color (rustoleum stainless steel)then dust them with the Boesheild or Eastwood rust protection spray.
Posted By: MrNormsTA
Re: Leaf springs, natural or painted? - 02/18/09 05:42 PM
Good post.
Many parts were natural bare metal. You have 3 choices when doing a resto, strip and leave bare, strip and clear, or strip and try to use a paint that matches the original metal color. Although I did a few small items, clear just doesn't look right IMO.
I tried to stay away from clear on large parts, but am not doing an OE resto, so many of my parts I primed and used metal simulated paints, for example springs, spring hangers, front suspension, driveshaft, brake and pedal assemblies. Very happy with some of the Eastwood metal paint products.
On the springs, I have heard both ways were found, so I went with painted black with natural bands.
Rick.
Many parts were natural bare metal. You have 3 choices when doing a resto, strip and leave bare, strip and clear, or strip and try to use a paint that matches the original metal color. Although I did a few small items, clear just doesn't look right IMO.
I tried to stay away from clear on large parts, but am not doing an OE resto, so many of my parts I primed and used metal simulated paints, for example springs, spring hangers, front suspension, driveshaft, brake and pedal assemblies. Very happy with some of the Eastwood metal paint products.
On the springs, I have heard both ways were found, so I went with painted black with natural bands.
Rick.
Posted By: hemi68charger
Re: Leaf springs, natural or painted? - 02/18/09 05:50 PM
Quote:
Who sells the rebuilt kit?
I believe Bill over at :
http://amhightechauto.com/
Roger Gibson Auto Restoration:
http://www.rogergibsonautorestoration.com/
Bill Rolik as well:
http://billrolikenterprises.com/
Posted By: DPelletier
Re: Leaf springs, natural or painted? - 02/18/09 05:52 PM
I'm sure there are different ways certain cars were done depending on model, year and plant. I had thought that black was correct on my '70 Lynch Rd. 'Bee and the clamps, springs and front hangers were all together and painted gloss black at once. 
Oh well, If I'm wrong, it's not like the rest of the car is 100% correct!
Dave
Oh well, If I'm wrong, it's not like the rest of the car is 100% correct!
Dave