C2 Coil Spring finish

[Donald H.]

I'm trying to get a correct finish on my coil springs. My car is a small block 66.

I am assuming that 66 and 67 springs had the same finish, so I'm using the 67 TIM&JG comments since the it is a later revision.

The 66 TIM&JG says "Front springs are coated with a rust inhibitor and have a black appearance". The 67 TIM&JG says "Front springs are natural, or coated with a rust inhibitor with a black appearance".

So, I am assuming that the springs should not be painted.

In the attached picture, the spring on the left is right out of the media blasting cabinet. The one on the right is after I have done my finish technique. I'm hoping the one on the right has an as manufactured natural steel finish appearance. Note it is not painted.

Do you think the one on the right will work OK for judging?

Thanks,
Don
DSC_0207.jpg

[Gary B.]

Re: C2 Coil Spring finish

Don,

As a chassis judge with intermediate experience, I like the look of the one after your treatment. At least in the photo I do, which might not capture what it looks like in real life. What did you do to treat it?

Gary

[Edward J.]

Re: C2 Coil Spring finish

Don, I like the one you finished- PERFECT!!!.Tell us your secret.

[Donald H.]

Re: C2 Coil Spring finish

After media blasting, I soaked the spring in a rust remover solution, then I treated with the product Rust Prevention Magic. I've read a lot of claims about the RPM product and have been using it on all the natural finish parts during my restoration of the chassis. I don't have personal history that it will stand up as claimed, but hopefully it will stave off rust on the natural steel parts.

The rust remover solution tends to leave a blue/gray finish. I've used three or four different rust remover products and this is one of the milder ones (pictured below). Not sure what it has in it, but the label says there is no acid or alkaline content. I let the spring soak in that for 1 1/2 hours. Wipe dry then treated with the RPM.

Don

[Edward J.]

Re: C2 Coil Spring finish

Don , Where did you get the RPM coating, is it available at the auto parts stores?

[Wayne M.]

Re: C2 Coil Spring finish

FWIW, here's an NOS service spring (many decades old), still in original box w/packing slip dated 1278 (?).

In previous threads, it was recommended to apply CRC # 73262 SP-350 corrosion inhibitor. Bought a spray-bomb can but haven't applied (yet).

[Donald H.]

Re: C2 Coil Spring finish

Don , Where did you get the RPM coating, is it available at the auto parts stores?

I ordered it from Amazon. I have not seen it in stores.

[Edward J.]

Re: C2 Coil Spring finish

I ordered it from Amazon. I have not seen it in stores.

Thanks, Ed

[Bill L.]

Re: C2 Coil Spring finish

After media blasting, I soaked the spring in a rust remover solution, then I treated with the product Rust Prevention Magic. I've read a lot of claims about the RPM product and have been using it on all the natural finish parts during my restoration of the chassis. I don't have personal history that it will stand up as claimed, but hopefully it will stave off rust on the natural steel parts.

The rust remover solution tends to leave a blue/gray finish. I've used three or four different rust remover products and this is one of the milder ones (pictured below). Not sure what it has in it, but the label says there is no acid or alkaline content. I let the spring soak in that for 1 1/2 hours. Wipe dry then treated with the RPM.

Don

Hi Don,

I know it has been a while but I have a question.

Getting ready to do this on my 70 in the next couple weeks. What container did you use to soak the springs?

Thanks,


Bill

PS-I love the RPM and have used it on many parts including the differential.

[Donald H.]

Re: C2 Coil Spring finish

Hi Don,

I know it has been a while but I have a question.

Getting ready to do this on my 70 in the next couple weeks. What container did you use to soak the springs?

Thanks,


Bill

PS-I love the RPM and have used it on many parts including the differential.

Bill,

I used a piece of 6" diameter PVC plastic pipe with a cap cemented on one end to prevent leaking. See picture (sorry turned sideways during the upload for some reason).

By the way, the RPM has not worked that well for me. My chassis has not left my garage and I have rust spots on just about everything I treated with the RPM. I'm now using a Quanta product that is some sort of oily preservative product.

I've also added a dehumidifier to my garage, but I'm not happy with RPM!!!

Don

[Bill L.]

Re: C2 Coil Spring finish

Bill,

I used a piece of 6" diameter PVC plastic pipe with a cap cemented on one end to prevent leaking. See picture (sorry turned sideways during the upload for some reason).

By the way, the RPM has not worked that well for me. My chassis has not left my garage and I have rust spots on just about everything I treated with the RPM. I'm now using a Quanta product that is some sort of oily preservative product.

I've also added a dehumidifier to my garage, but I'm not happy with RPM!!!

Don

Thank you Don.

Sorry to hear of the troubles with RPM. I treated my differential a couple years ago as well as some other parts and so far so good. My garage is not temperature or humidity controlled.

Bill