Leaf spring restoration

[TulsaFred]

Im working on my bugeye's quarter eliptic rear leaf springs today.
My plan is to disassemble the leaves, bead blast, and paint.

Any advice?

Should I paint the disassembled leaves or just paint the sides?

Grease between the leaves?

What paint?

Fred

 

[Rut]

Hello Fred,
I did the same to my 1/4 springs and used POR15 with their black top coat for UV protection. I would use regular chassis black if I did it again. I used Slip Plate graphite spray between the leaves instead of grease so it would not attract grit. I'm happy with the way it turned out, but like the touch up simplicity of Chassis black.
HTH, Rut

 

[TulsaFred]

Tractor supply carries a different graphite product called easy slip.
I like the idea of a graphite product, thanks Rut.

 

[OopsClunkThud]

I just did mine and used shoe polish between the leafs and rustoleum all over after they were assembled. The idea of easy touchup was my main motivation for this path. Have them installed but not driving yet.

 

[CaptRandy]

Has anyone used powder coating of them? Also have you used soda blasting for parts?

 

[TulsaFred]

Dang 4.5 hours to disassemble, clean and then bead blast all 17 leaves of ONE spring.
No wonder few people go to the trouble.
Im committed at this point so I guess the other spring will be tomorrows project.
I am going to draw the line at powdercoating them though.
Prime and paint with some graphite spray between the leaves, thats it.

F

 

[bugedd]

Its worth the effort to do it right, you will never have to do it again. And I think I have about 5 hours to disassemble, blast, paint, grease, and reassemble. POR 15 and a thin coat of grease between the leafs made it silent and lovely

 

[Deleted member 9684]

Sorry for the hijack, but does anyone have an original set of 1/4 eliptical they'd like to sell? Condition not important as i am planning to disassemble and restore. Thanks!

 

[racingenglishcars]

I have done many leaf springs on many British cars.
I have always used two component epoxy paint, and a trick I've never seen anywhere else, lithium grease. It's waterproof and won't wash away in the rain.
Rolls Royce and Bentley used leather covers for the springs to keep road dirt off, but I haven't gone that far yet.

 

[ralph_s]

Fred,
Used the Tractor Supply stuff on my 1/4 springs and it worked well.