Leaf Springs

[sixt9x33rs]

I had my leaf springs re-arched and went to pick them up and the guy had painted them. Great!!!!

I am considering having the black paint sandblasted off. Has anyone done this before? I am not sure what the sandblasted finish will look like when complete. I am trying to restore my car back to 100% original and want to avoid messing up my springs. The springs did have some rust on them prior to re-arching.

Thanks

[hotrod68]

Since it's new paint, I'd remove it with lacquer thinner or some similiar solvent. The paint should just melt off. Sandblasting will get grit in between the leafs and make a royal mess, and it will leave a clean, but rough surface. If they're rust-free under the paint you can use Cosmoline to stop any surface rust from forming on the bare metal. A good alternative is to paint them with cast-iron gray paint. Not 100% original, but the springs look nice and they won't rust. My 2 cents and good luck!

[sixt9x33rs]

Since it's new paint, I'd remove it with lacquer thinner or some similiar solvent. The paint should just melt off. Sandblasting will get grit in between the leafs and make a royal mess, and it will leave a clean, but rough surface. If they're rust-free under the paint you can use Cosmoline to stop any surface rust from forming on the bare metal. A good alternative is to paint them with cast-iron gray paint. Not 100% original, but the springs look nice and they won't rust. My 2 cents and good luck!

I tried Lacquer Thinner right when I got home. The paint started to come off but it did not come off easily...still alot on them and not coming off easily. The springs are dis-assembled.

[detfox]

A good alternative is to paint them with cast-iron gray paint. Not 100% original, but the springs look nice and they won't rust. My 2 cents and good luck!

Eastwood offers a number of different aerosols, what one would you suggest for the leaf springs?

[sixt9x33rs]

I had my springs sandblasted and they came out really good. I coated them with Boe Shield so they would not rust.

[RamAirDave]

I coated them with Boe Shield so they would not rust.

Boeshield is not permanent.  They will rust if you don't re-coat them periodically.

[mrdetails]

Sandblasting will lighten the color. They are heat treated steel and have a medium gray color. Try paint stripper. I coated mine with Eastwood Diamond semi-gloss clear with cosmoline over that. Cosmoline is available from Rick's in a spray can. I keep it on all the black oxide bolts.

Good luck

[sixt9x33rs]

I coated them with Boe Shield so they would not rust.

Boeshield is not permanent.  They will rust if you don't re-coat them periodically.

ok thanks

[sixt9x33rs]

Sandblasting will lighten the color. They are heat treated steel and have a medium gray color. Try paint stripper. I coated mine with Eastwood Diamond semi-gloss clear with cosmoline over that. Cosmoline is available from Rick's in a spray can. I keep it on all the black oxide bolts.

Good luck

Unfortunately, I did not have many other alternatives after they painted them. I agree that sandblasting does lighten them up, but they guy did as light of a job as he could.

I have used Eastwood's clear in the past and have liked it too. I guess I will have to remove the Boeshield or wait for it to come off before I paint the springs with clear? Can I put the Cosmoline over the Boeshield?

Thanks

[Jerry@CHP]

The springs will have to come apart to do the job right.  When going back together, we have had great success with Rem Oil.  Wipe the springs down and then using a clean shop rag, wipe the springs down with Rem Oil.  Rem Oil has teflon in it and this will keep the rust away for quite a while.

Jerry 

[sixt9x33rs]

The springs will have to come apart to do the job right.  When going back together, we have had great success with Rem Oil.  Wipe the springs down and then using a clean shop rag, wipe the springs down with Rem Oil.  Rem Oil has teflon in it and this will keep the rust away for quite a while.

Jerry 

Rem oil....the gun oil?

[1968RSZ28]

Rem oil....the gun oil?

Yes...  http://www.remington.com/products/accessories/gun_care/oils_&_lubricants.asp

Paul

[Sauron327]

   There are others in different industries that perform similar tasks. The firearm, machine tool, aviation, or marine industry require proper protective coatings. I used to coat the machines with similar preservatives ( many moons ago). Further investigation led to the link below and there are others.
   http://www.westmarine.com/1/1/11503-corrosion-inhibitor-16oz-from-crc-chemicals.html

[mrdetails]

sixt9x33rs: There are many. many different rust preventitive products on the market. I like the cosmoline product, it's heavy wax with a lot of solvent so it will spray. The military used it for long term armament storage. New black oxide bolts usually come coated with it. It is easy to remove with solvent.
I usually just spray it into a cup and coat the parts I want coated with a small brush. I would imagine you could put it over Boeshield, as always try an experment first.
Good Luck

[lakeholme]

Some repo parts are shipped with a cosmoline covering:

http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=503.0