painting new suspension parts?

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TC00GT

Founding Member

Nov 9, 2000

104

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Auburn, Ma

Oct 19, 2006

#1

• Oct 19, 2006

• #1

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

5 Year Member

Mar 26, 2004

465

12

39

NJ

Oct 19, 2006

#2

• Oct 19, 2006

• #2

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

Member

May 2, 2005

357

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17

Easton, PA

Oct 19, 2006

#3

• Oct 19, 2006

• #3

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

 

bad68coupe

New Member

Jul 18, 2006

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Richardson, TX

Oct 19, 2006

#4

• Oct 19, 2006

• #4

my parts are powder coated

 

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amorrow

New Member

Jul 15, 2005

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St. Charles, IL

Oct 19, 2006

#5

• Oct 19, 2006

• #5

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

10 Year Member

May 24, 2005

4,159

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79

Rowland Heights,California

Oct 19, 2006

#6

• Oct 19, 2006

• #6

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.

 

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bnickel

Founding Member

Aug 21, 2002

5,640

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77

lubbock, texas

Oct 19, 2006

#7

• Oct 19, 2006

• #7

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

New Member

Mar 30, 2005

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ocean isle beach n.c.

Oct 19, 2006

#8

• Oct 19, 2006

• #8

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.

 

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TC00GT

Founding Member

Nov 9, 2000

104

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Auburn, Ma

Oct 19, 2006

#9

• Oct 19, 2006

• #9

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

New Member

Mar 30, 2005

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ocean isle beach n.c.

Oct 19, 2006

#10

• Oct 19, 2006

• #10

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.

 

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bnickel

Founding Member

Aug 21, 2002

5,640

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77

lubbock, texas

Oct 19, 2006

#11

• Oct 19, 2006

• #11

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

 

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chromedog

New Member

Jan 13, 2006

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worlds center for speed

Oct 19, 2006

#12

• Oct 19, 2006

• #12

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

 

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TC00GT

Founding Member

Nov 9, 2000

104

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0

Auburn, Ma

Oct 19, 2006

#13

• Oct 19, 2006

• #13

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?

 

T

TC00GT

Founding Member

Nov 9, 2000

104

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0

Auburn, Ma

Oct 19, 2006

#14

• Oct 19, 2006

• #14

oops, double post

 

69fastback393

New Member

Mar 30, 2005

48

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ocean isle beach n.c.

Oct 20, 2006

#15

• Oct 20, 2006

• #15

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.

 

T

TC00GT

Founding Member

Nov 9, 2000

104

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0

Auburn, Ma

Oct 20, 2006

#16

• Oct 20, 2006

• #16

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

New Member

Mar 30, 2005

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ocean isle beach n.c.

Oct 20, 2006

#17

• Oct 20, 2006

• #17

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.

 

D

danny clemens

Member

May 4, 2005

728

0

16

Oct 20, 2006

#18

• Oct 20, 2006

• #18

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

Packin' Heat

Founding Member

Jan 13, 2000

2,743

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Houston, TX

Oct 20, 2006

#19

• Oct 20, 2006

• #19

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

 

69fastback393

New Member

Mar 30, 2005

48

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ocean isle beach n.c.

Oct 22, 2006

#20

• Oct 22, 2006

• #20

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