C2 and C3 Rear Spring Color

**Edward J.** · July 1, 2016, 01:21 PM

Re: C2 and C3 Rear Spring Color

Jim, C2/C3 the spring color is more of a flat light to med. gray color.

**Larry M.** · July 1, 2016, 01:26 PM

Re: C2 and C3 Rear Spring Color

Color is a light gray metallic.....................the spring was painted with a zinc coating from the factory which provides the gray metallic color. Coverage was varied with some of spring being bare steel. But nowadays they are just about all completely covered with this coating (restored cars).

Some folks use a gray paint, but I prefer a true zinc coating such as Krylon/Sprayon Zinc Rich Galvanizing Coating used by industry and marine.

Larry

**Patrick H.** · July 1, 2016, 01:56 PM

Re: C2 and C3 Rear Spring Color

I would not call it metallic. I think Ed is correct that it is a flat light-to-medium gray color. There was a nominal amount of metallic appearance to the original paint, but once it dries this appearance goes away. If you spray it with a metallic paint I would deduct for it.

I still have a can of the original paint in my stash.

**Larry M.** · July 1, 2016, 03:30 PM

Re: C2 and C3 Rear Spring Color

Originally posted by Patrick Hulst (16386)

I would not call it metallic. I think Ed is correct that it is a flat light-to-medium gray color. There was a nominal amount of metallic appearance to the original paint, but once it dries this appearance goes away. If you spray it with a metallic paint I would deduct for it.

I still have a can of the original paint in my stash.

The word "metallic" that I used was misleading................since it is not like a metallic paint color on the cars' exterior. It was/is quite simply a zinc (which is a metal) coating that was hand applied to the steel to prevent corrosion. It is NOT a paint. It is zinc particles in an epoxy or other binder to adhere to the steel and is cold applied versus "hot-dipped". It was called Ionoklad.

Sorry for any confusion.

Larry

**Patrick H.** · July 1, 2016, 03:45 PM

Re: C2 and C3 Rear Spring Color

It's not an epoxy binder, as many years later it's not solid. I believe that lacquer thinner was recommended to thin it.

**Tom L.** · July 1, 2016, 05:52 PM

Re: C2 and C3 Rear Spring Color

Hey Jim, Wasn't sure you're in the restoration mode. I used a Rustoleum product, I can send the specific info, or a pic of mine, when I get a chance to get downstairs. Have fun!!

**Bob B.** · July 1, 2016, 05:53 PM

Re: C2 and C3 Rear Spring Color

The original springs used a zinc-rich paint to prevent corrosion. I used the Krylon Zinc-Rich Coating as did Larry. Here are my '69 springs in a test assembly and the Krylon that I used.

Bob

Originally posted by Larry Mulder (20401)

Color is a light gray metallic.....................the spring was painted with a zinc coating from the factory which provides the gray metallic color. Coverage was varied with some of spring being bare steel. But nowadays they are just about all completely covered with this coating (restored cars).

Some folks use a gray paint, but I prefer a true zinc coating such as Krylon/Sprayon Zinc Rich Galvanizing Coating used by industry and marine.

Larry

Attached Files

**James B.** · July 5, 2016, 10:00 AM

Re: C2 and C3 Rear Spring Color

I appreciate all of the replies and photos. The AFC-sourced 9 leaf "restored" spring that I had purchased from them several years ago has a dark gray/blue color (just like their 7 leaf repro spring being sold and shown via the NCRS Driveline pub). Looks like my spring will need to be disassembled and repainted.

Jim

**Joe L.** · July 5, 2016, 01:44 PM

Re: C2 and C3 Rear Spring Color

Originally posted by James Burrell (8408)

I appreciate all of the replies and photos. The AFC-sourced 9 leaf "restored" spring that I had purchased from them several years ago has a dark gray/blue color (just like their 7 leaf repro spring being sold and shown via the NCRS Driveline pub). Looks like my spring will need to be disassembled and repainted.

Jim

Jim------

The original Ionoklad coating was a very light gray color, similar to the color seen in the photo above. However, it was also a very thick material and the coating does not really appear like a paint. I don't think you could create the exact surface texture of the original product with a paint but that's about as close as you're going to get. The Ionoklad is no longer manufactured.

I believe the Ionoklad's primary purpose was to provide a high pressure-resistant coating and add some lubricity to the inter-leaf interface. The specifications called only for it to be applied to the tension surface of the leaves. However, the application was sloppy and it often coated the edges of the leaves.

**Joe R.** · July 5, 2016, 01:46 PM

Re: C2 and C3 Rear Spring Color

For what it's worth a friend from California (RIP) commented that he has taken apart more Corvettes than the NCRS have ever judged and not one of the rear springs were painted (anything).

Back in the 60's I worked for US Steel in Gary Indiana. I worked at an annealing furnace. Hard steel that was exposed to the furnace for 24 hours came out with a dark gray slag. We annealed thousands of springs for various OEM's. The slag could be mistaken for a coating.

Later the springs at the OEM used Lonoclad? and liners (plastic). The springs were NEVER coated completely but had he Lonoclad? between the leaves.

Some of the springs shown as original (restored) looks like a clown troop was loose during the restoration.

Just my two cents!

JR

**Joe L.** · July 5, 2016, 01:55 PM

Re: C2 and C3 Rear Spring Color

Originally posted by Joe Ray (1011)

For what it's worth a friend from California (RIP) commented that he has taken apart more Corvettes than the NCRS have ever judged and not one of the rear springs were painted (anything).

Back in the 60's I worked for US Steel in Gary Indiana. I worked at an annealing furnace. Hard steel that was exposed to the furnace for 24 hours came out with a dark gray slag. We annealed thousands of springs for various OEM's. The slag could be mistaken for a coating.

Later the springs at the OEM used Lonoclad? and liners (plastic). The springs were NEVER coated completely but had he Lonoclad? between the leaves.

Some of the springs shown as original (restored) looks like a clown troop was loose during the restoration.

Just my two cents!

JR

JR------

My original 1969 9 leaf spring had the Ionoklad applied only to the tension surface of the leaves. I discovered it when I disassembled the spring for rebuilding. At the time, I wondered what it was. It appeared almost like a lead coating. It was difficult to remove.

The original spring liners for pre-1978 were graphite impregnated polypropylene. However, for 1978-82 the liners for steel springs became thin zinc sheet stock.

**Larry M.** · July 5, 2016, 02:51 PM

Re: C2 and C3 Rear Spring Color

Originally posted by Joe Lucia (12484)

JR------

My original 1969 9 leaf spring had the Ionoklad applied only to the tension surface of the leaves. I discovered it when I disassembled the spring for rebuilding. At the time, I wondered what it was. It appeared almost like a lead coating. It was difficult to remove.

The original spring liners for pre-1978 were graphite impregnated polypropylene. However, for 1978-82 the liners for steel springs became thin zinc sheet stock.

I agree..............both with where and how the Ionoklad was applied, and also on the spring liners. This is in part based on my own car. Original references to Ionoklad indicate it to be a zinc rich primer. That is from the original OEM website company history section, as well as from the separate application for trademark.

The coating I mentioned earlier is similar to the original, but is diluted for spray application. Most everyone (self included) chose to coat the entire spring versus the original spot/area coating. This is for both rust prevention as well as appearances. As such it should receive a deduction in judging, although I feel it should be minor.

FWIW.

Larry

**Joe L.** · July 5, 2016, 03:00 PM

Re: C2 and C3 Rear Spring Color

Originally posted by Larry Mulder (20401)

I agree..............both with where and how the Ionoklad was applied, and also on the spring liners. This is in part based on my own car. Original references to Ionoklad indicate it to be a zinc rich primer. That is from the original OEM website company history section, as well as from the separate application for trademark.

The coating I mentioned earlier is similar to the original, but is diluted for spray application. Most everyone (self included) chose to coat the entire spring versus the original spot/area coating. This is for both rust prevention as well as appearances. As such it should receive a deduction in judging, although I feel it should be minor.

FWIW.

Larry

Larry------

Yes, the Ionoklad is a high zinc concentration coating. Zinc is a metal often used for high pressure resistance. In that regard and for example, it is used in motor oils and floor polishes (to resist the high PSI loading of women's high heel shoes).

**Ron G.** · July 5, 2016, 03:33 PM

Re: C2 and C3 Rear Spring Color

The original coating was a 200 L weld thru primer that was supplied from Ionoklad that is no longer available. If you like I can post a pic of the original can.

C2 and C3 Rear Spring Color

C2 and C3 Rear Spring Color

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