How to Paint Coil Springs
by William ZaneBecause of their vulnerable place in the suspension, springs are exposed to a lot of dirt, moisture and mud over the course of a vehicle's life. Over time, springs become scratched, faded and can rust. A stripped and repainted suspension is part of any car restoration. If you are performing routine maintenance and have the springs out of the car, applying a nice paint job can make the car look better.
Step 1
Strip the old paint off of the wheels. Spray the paint stripper onto the springs. Let the stripper soak in until the paint is bubbling. Scrape the paint off with a wire brush. Reapply the stripper until all of the paint is removed. Remove any last traces by wrapping steel wool around the coils of the springs and rubbing back and forth.
Step 2
Clean the springs with mineral spirits. Pour it onto a lint-free rag and thoroughly wipe off the springs until they are completely free of oil and residue. Dry the springs thoroughly.
Step 3
Apply a light dusting of quality primer to the springs. Let it dry for a few minutes, and then spray on a heavier coat. Hold the can about 8 in. from the spring, and spray in a back and forth manner. Make sure you get the portion of the spring that is on the inside of the coil. Let the primer dry for about 10 minutes, and then apply another coat. Apply a third coat if you feel it warrants more coverage. Let the primer dry for an hour or so or until it is completely dry to the touch.
Step 4
Choose the color you want to paint the springs. Black is the most common color for suspension parts, but red, blue or yellow are popular colors for springs. Use a high-quality, rust-preventative paint. There are also spray paints specially formulated for suspension parts that are more durable.
Step 5
Spray on a light coating of paint. Let it dry for a minute or so, and then apply a thicker coat, ensuring even coverage everywhere on the spring. Let the paint dry for an hour or so (read the directions on the can), and then apply another two or three coats until you are satisfied that the springs are covered thoroughly. Let the paint dry overnight before attempting to reinstall the springs.
References
Things You'll Need
- Steel wool
- Paint stripper
- Wire brush
- Mineral spirits
- Spray primer
- Spray paint
Writer Bio
William Zane has been a freelance writer and photographer for over six years and specializes primarily in automotive-related subject matter among many other topics. He has attended the Academy of Art College in San Francisco, where he studied automotive design, and the University of New Mexico, where he studied journalism.
