Rear Spring finish

[Shane G.]

I am restoring the rear spring in my 64 and read that the small cups on the end of the rear spring should be bare steel, but mine had been painted semi gloss black as was the entire spring and liners. Could someone please confirm the rear spring finish as well as the appearance of the little cups on the end of the main spring.


While I'm at it, the manual also says my front springs should be natural finish, but the GM springs I ordered are painted. Should they really be natural, and what is the best way to get the paint off the new ones? Thanks, Shane

[Joe L.]

Re: Rear Spring finish

Shane----


The spring leaves were originally painted with a special, high solids gray-colored paint. The leaves were painted prior to assembly of the spring and, most say, prior to the installation of the spring cushion retainers(small cups, as you say). The black, polyethlene spring liners were installed when the spring was assembled and are unpainted. The spring retainers are mild carbon steel and will quickly rust if unprotected. The special spring paint is available from Quanta Products(www.quantaproducts.com)and is the exact same formulation as originally used.


Most original front springs were unpainted, but GM replacements are often painted or powder-coated black. If yours are painted, you should be able to remove it with paint remover like JASCO. But, bear in mind that unpainted, unprotected coil springs will quickly rust. Then, your springs won't be as-original, anymore.

[Shane G.]

correct versus useable

What is the best way to "protect" parts that should be bare steel like the spring cushion retainers and the coil springs? I have Eastwoods powder coating system (low gloss clear,stamped steel,detail gray), Nyalic, or clear catylized enamels. I plan to drive,and probably never show the car, but I also want the car to be as "correct" as possible. If I would use a coating on stuff like the front springs or differential, and decide to show the car before driving it, how bad would deductions be? I realize that I can't have the best of both worlds, but what are current opinions on a reasonable compromise? Thanks, Shane

[Franz E]

[Joe L.]

Re: Rear Spring finish

Franz-----


EXTREMELY INTERESTING AND VALUABLE information. My SINCERE thanks for your providing it. One comment, though. The original spring on my 1969 was, of course, a 2.25" spring. In 1980, or so, I rebuilt the spring for the first time and I know that the spring was original since I am the original owner of the car. Although at that time I could see no gray paint on the external, exposed portion of the spring, when I seperated the spring leaves the gray paint was VERY evident on the inner surfaces of the leaves. I distinctly remember having an extremely difficult time removing it and I also remember being somewhat surprised by its texture and thickness. It seemed almost like a thin lead or tin coating. Is it possible that the springs were so-painted even though the drawing did not specify it?

[Franz E]

[Joe L.]

Re: Rear Spring finish

Franz-----


EXTREMELY, EXTREMELY USEFUL is more like it. And EXTREMELY, EXTREMELY interesting, too. One of my MAIN interests is the manufacturing techniques and manufacturing locations for all Corvette COMPONENTS. Rarely does one find information on this subject and you've provided a bunch of it. In addition, you've provided it on one of the components that I am particularly interested in. Franz, I can't thank you enough.