painting new suspension parts?

[TC00GT]

I am in the process of replacing the front suspension. I'm ordering all new tie rods, center link, sway bar, etc., and I have already purchased all new upper & lower control arms. My question is, what can I do to keep them looking good? Should I clear coat the suspension pieces? Paint them? The control arms are black, but they scratch easy, should I repaint these? Any pics or ideas are appreciated. Thanks.

I've got some time, since the car is going to the welder this weekend.

 

[spirockp]

I just did this job over the winter. I left the upper and lower control arms alone and everything else I POR15ed and then sprayed.

Came out really nice and now nothing will rust.

 

[68FBJJZ109]

I did the same thing Just used eastwood rust encapsulator, because you can spray it on, by thining it with lacqour thiner.

 

[bad68coupe]

my parts are powder coated

 

[amorrow]

I cleaned (can't remember what exactly I used) and re-painted the my new upper and lower arms, giving them the dipped factory look. My new steering linkages and pitman and idler arms were cleaned and cleared.

 

[iskwezm]

i painted mine with flat black Krylon and then had some extra clear in a gun and was bored so i sprayed them, man they came out shiny and clean easily.

 

[bnickel]

i painted everything. control arms are black and the tie rods and center link are cast gray. i also cleared everything as well. once i get the spindles and power steering stuff of the car the spindles will be painted cast gray and the power ram is getting painted the same blue-green color as the ps pump and the control valve will be painted cast aluminum and again everything will cleared as well. the strut rods will get painted black and cleared too.

 

[69fastback393]

i sprayed mine with cast coat aluminum and then sprayed them with automotive clear with a touch up gun.i could not beleave how they came out.so i did the brake calipers,brackets,hood hinges,control arms etc.everyone swears i had them powdered coated.www.cardomain.com/ride/2073886.

 

[TC00GT]

Cool, I bought some cast blast. I think I'll use that for the linkages and the spindles. I think I'll repaint the control arms black, and then clear coat everything. Will the spray can clear coat hold up okay? I have a paint gun, but havn't used it, and I'm a little weary. Is high temp clearcoat any better for these parts or not necessary?

 

[69fastback393]

i have not had much luck with aerosol clear.first drop of any chemical and its ruined.auto clear does a much better job and it is easy to clean.

 

[bnickel]

i used spray can clear on all my parts. i did use the high heat plasti-kote stuff with the ceramic but that was because it's what i had laying around and it seems to be holding up fine. a regular automotive clear will likely hold up better but it's also a lot more expensive and too me anyway, the cost was just not worth the extra durability. i mean these are suspension parts we're talking about here, no amount of anything other than powder coating is going to keep them very nice and even powder coating can chip if teh car is driver

 

[chromedog]

if you are into gloss black, krylon makes a black epoxy thats awesome... two, or three coats, and it looks like powdercoat...

 

[TC00GT]

How difficult is it to spray the clear? like I said I haven't used the spray gun before. I'm painting the engine bay too, so I would like to use the spray gun versus cans. Any tips for using a spray gun?

 

[TC00GT]

oops, double post

 

[69fastback393]

its very easy. i would just start with a small piece first. i usually put on 3 coats and after you see the results you will want to do more.

 

[TC00GT]

Do you so any wet sanding or anything between coats of clear? Maybe I'll start on a few small parts before I go for the engine bay.

 

[69fastback393]

no,you dont have to sand in between.i usually start with a light tack coat then get a little heavier each time (15 min or so in between). be careful not to run.

 

[danny clemens]

Powder coating would probably be the best and longest lasting thing you could coat them with but would probably be the most expensive too.

 

[Bullitt]

69fastback393, don't mean to hijack the thread, but that's a beautiful car!!

 

[69fastback393]

thanks....it was alot of hard work but worth it.