57 leaf spring paint

[Ken G.]

This question has been asked before but I don't think it has been answered, at least according to my "search."

If the leaf springs were "blacked out" prior to body drop why does the judging manual say that the stainless steel bands are to be a natural finish? Something does not add up here....

Thanks for any insights!

Ken

[Edward L.]

Re: 57 leaf spring paint

The springs were already painted and assembled when they were installed on the chassis. There really wasn't anything to "black out". Any blackout on the spring was accidental.

This question has been asked before but I don't think it has been answered, at least according to my "search."

If the leaf springs were "blacked out" prior to body drop why does the judging manual say that the stainless steel bands are to be a natural finish? Something does not add up here....

Thanks for any insights!

Ken

[Joe M.]

Re: 57 leaf spring paint

Ken, my 1960 bands are covered with a black, asphaltic material and not paint. I removed the coating by using paint thinner. Based on my car, I believe that Eaton Spring painted the 3 lower leaves black and the top leaf silver, then assembled them with the stainless steel bands and clips. Upon arrival at St. Louis, GM sprayed the asphaltic coating as part of the black out process. The silver leaf has from top to bottom, asphaltic coating, black paint, and silver paint against the steel. I can not see the driveshaft stencil or frame stencil even after removing the asphaltic coating because there is black paint. I am puzzled as to how the leaf spring bands on my car only have an asphaltic coating and no paint.