paint springs?

[dmfang]

hi all -

I was curious, has anyone out there painted your aftermarket springs? I've got a little metal showing through and would like to get that covered up.

I did some web surfing and saw on a yamaha forum someone suggested using Plasti-dip to keep it flexible. Anyone out there have any experience with it?

thanks!

[mazilla]

Have you thought about powder coat? It shouldn't cost very much, even less if you have access to a blast cabinet so you can do the prep.

[dmfang]

Originally Posted by mazilla

Have you thought about powder coat? It shouldn't cost very much, even less if you have access to a blast cabinet so you can do the prep.

yeah, but I was worried about the flexibility of powder coat on something that needs to move in that way. Have you had springs powder coated?

[CTScott]

I would avoid anything that is hard or brittle, like powder coating. Stick with a somewhat flexible coating. Even something like Krylon Fusion should be good, as it has some elasticity and is made for painting a variety of surfaces, including metal.

[mazilla]

Originally Posted by dmfang

yeah, but I was worried about the flexibility of powder coat on something that needs to move in that way. Have you had springs powder coated?

Not springs, but I'd bet it would hold up better than most paints. The bond is very strong, it's what I would go with...unless I could find some type of industrial epoxy paint, but you'd need to have that sprayed on by a professional(unless you can DIY).


I have heard a lot of good stuff about POR-15, it's something you could DIY easily.

If you want a professional look you'll need to find out what they use and go the same route.

[mazilla]

Originally Posted by CTScott

I would avoid anything that is hard or brittle, like powder coating. Stick with a somewhat flexible coating. Even something like Krylon Fusion should be good, as it has some elasticity and is made for painting a variety of surfaces, including metal.

"Powder coating is one of the few coatings that can withstand the flexing of coil springs"....I just googled it.


8. Will Powder Coat Flex With Items Like Automotive Coil Springs?
Powder coating is one of the only coatings that can withstand repetitive flexing commonly found on automotive springs. There is an example of two front coil springs that were coated in our Gallery. Most springs will already have a powder coated layer from the factory. We can clean up the look of the old springs by adding a vibrant new color.

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by mazilla

"Powder coating is one of the few coatings that can withstand the flexing of coil springs"....I just googled it.


8. Will Powder Coat Flex With Items Like Automotive Coil Springs?
Powder coating is one of the only coatings that can withstand repetitive flexing commonly found on automotive springs. There is an example of two front coil springs that were coated in our Gallery. Most springs will already have a powder coated layer from the factory. We can clean up the look of the old springs by adding a vibrant new color.

Very interesting. Based on how powder coating eventually fails on things, I wouldn't have thought that. I guess it is all about the prep work, to prevent failure.

[mazilla]

Originally Posted by CTScott

Very interesting. Based on how powder coating eventually fails on things, I wouldn't have thought that. I guess it is all about the prep work, to prevent failure.

Consider the source I suppose, if I owned a PC shop I might say whatever I could to sell my product...

If I were the OP I'd be googling the topic just to be sure.

[cali yaris]

^ I think all the springs we sell are powdercoated - Tanabe, Tein, Eibach, etc.

[dmfang]

Originally Posted by mazilla

If I were the OP I'd be googling the topic just to be sure.

you bet! I've been a googling fool this morning. from what I've read, the big reservation is more about how the heat needed to bake the powder coat might affect the integrity of the spring.

Thanks, Garm! that makes me feel a lot more confident about looking this direction.

[cali yaris]

the big reservation is more about how the heat needed to bake the powder coat might affect the integrity of the spring.

Apparently the spring manufacturers don't agree. The baking temp for powdercoating isn't that extreme anyway.

Normally the powders cure at 200°C (390°F) for 10 minutes.

[dmfang]

got a couple of quotes and it looks like powder coating the springs is out for me. I just can't wrap my head around paying more for the paint than I did for the springs themselves.

I'm thinking I might go with Scott's suggestion and see how a little Krylon Fusion works.

that is unless anyone has an absolutely amazing connection :-D

[mazilla]

How much did they quote you?

[dmfang]

cheapest quote was $100, highest was $200.

yeah, krylon is looking real good right now. As it is, I'm really only looking for a little protection