65nassau

Well, I am at the tail end of a late summer project, (engine bay clean paint, front underside of car clean up) while the 383/425 awaits install.

I hope to get some fall driving in before January - March winter project
(winter doesn't really start till January in Atlanta)

Project will be:

Disassemble and clean / paint restore front end, a-arms, springs, steering gear , bumper brackets, underside of frame etc. Bumpers to rechromer.

(While the car has a crate engine and aftermarket wheels, I try to keep the rest of the car pretty true to factory specs)

The car is very tight, P.O. did a lot of work here years ago, but parts do need good clean paint, rust removal.

Here are my question(s):

On the following items what colors and finishes and also TECHNIQUES (to get these colors) should I use??

PLEASE correct me where needed and/or chime in on ways to get this done !!

A Arms - , know they need to be glossy black, new rubber, bolts where needed.

Springs - (use compressor) natural finish

Steering linkage - natural -- ****** What is the best way to achieve (and keep) 'natural steel finish' on these items, is there a paint / coating ?? *****

What about kingpins / spindles - color????

Chassis - going with wire brush, rust enacapsulator, and eastwood chassis black. (satin/low gloss)

Sway bar - color natural ? Have poly bushings to install.

Bumper brackets, same as above, all new hardware, bolts, etc. (possibly coat new bolts with 'Diamond Clear' to keet them from rusting?)

Calipers, glossy black ....... right? Probably replace brake hoses.

What did I miss ? Anything I should NOT take a apart ? Chime in!!

THANKS!!!!

PeteZ

Hey Bob,

Good questions ... I'd be asking same if I were to faithfully refurbish and restore my car

One of your questions did catch my attention, i.e., "A Arms - , know they need to be glossy black, new rubber, bolts where needed."

If you plan to do the work yourself then you'll need to know how to replace the 'rubber' in the 'A-arms.'

I learned, earlier this year, how to replace the 'rubber' in the upper and lower control arms with the expert help from a NCRS Member .

At any rate, if you would need any help regarding control arms, I'll do my best to provide you with procedures and recommended tools to achieve this particular task

GCD1962

Powdercoat each to the closest color and never have to do it again, plus you don't have to worry about it rusting - which it will eventually do with any paint you put on it

65nassau

I'm considering sending the a-arms out to Van Steel for the swap.
I think the bushings are good (P.O.)
Everything else I will probably do my self.

As far as powder coating goes, I am not sure I want to invest in that setup.

I'm hoping I can get it clean, do a good paint job, and maintain it well.

GCD1962

It's not expensive to send parts to a powdercoater to have them blasted and coated. It's also a zillion times easier to keep the underneath clean

65nassau

I'm still looking for ideas. I hear you on the powder coating thing. I am assuming you would make it black. Would it not be too shiny, then, or does powder coating come in shades of semi gloss. Any idea of cost for these items, possible sources?

HEYS GUYS, how 'right' am I on these finishes as far as colors go?

what would YOU do to get the natural finish...have any of you used any eastwood product to reprodcue the natural look on the sway bar, etc. ???

I mean after I sand off the rust, it's paint coat or color...somehow.

Let's hear from you ...

66jack

powdercoat'em its so much easier to work on a clean under-carriage...cost me 1000.00 cash...here in N. CA cash talks...





jack

65nassau

You powder coated everything on that car for $1000 frame included?

I am doing this body on / engine in place ....some things will be done in place and the rest will come off.

85% of frame is done in eastwood chassis black, other 15% will get it too.

65nassau

What have you guys done that haven't powder coated?

How did you achieve a natural finish for sway bars, etc.?

JohnZ

For stuff that's supposed to be "natural" (front springs, spindles, sway bars, diff, etc.), you can either coat them with PreLube6 or CorrosionX and renew it every 4-6 months (if you don't, they'll rust), or just use Cast-Blast on them and take the finish deduction in judging, which is minor, but the parts won't rust (that's what I do).

The steering linkage is supposed to be semi-gloss black, as are the calipers and bumper brackets/braces.

Grey Ghost

My thoughts would have been to shoot them with clear. But, it may yellow over time ? Since you are using a compressor/paint gun. I would have them mix me up some silver as bright or natural appearing as possible. If there is any pitting. You can use a high build primer. I might would shoot them with the silver and still clear coat 'em for protection from chips.

66jack

The quote below is From 65nassau
"You powder coated everything on that car for $1000 frame included?"

Yes i did...it was very reasonable like i said cash talks...

jack

65nassau

Thanks, John VERY MUCH and everyone else.
That's the option / information I was looking for.

If I get the front end powdercoated I'm sure it would look great, but then the rest of the car would look bad by comparison.

I was wondering if 'Cast Blast' was pretty faithful to 'new'. I had the shop use it on my differential and it looks pretty good. I may shoot the 'Diamond Clear' over the 'Cast Blast'

I will have something more true to original, even though I don't intend to get judged, I TRY to be somewhat faithful to the original look.
(Guilty Conscience perhaps?)

I am actually looking forward to this project, as the car will have a much more finished look on the underside.

Corbrastang

I powdercoated my a-arms glossy black, lef the rods, steering relay rod, springs, steering box, spindles.....natural and powdercoated them with a clear.
I used new bolts for the a-arms and bought some billet aluminum retainer washers for the bushings on the a arms.

65nassau

Look great!
Mind if I ask the cost?
Where do you get it done?
Turnaround time?

66jack

It cost me $1000.00 cash and i live in Redding, CA near the oregon border...the company is here in Redding also...the time took was roughly 2 months....he was real busy with all the city stuff, thats the reason it took soooo long...

jack

oops sorry 65Nassau i did'nt see the above pics from Cobrastang...my bad

Corbrastang

I did all my own powdercoating minus the frame. Took me a day to do all of the front suspension-a very long day. The blasting is what takes the longest amount of time. Powdercoating only takes about 40 minutes to coat and bake. If you can clean the stuff up i will be glad to powdercoat it for you for the cost of the powder. It doesnt really take any labor. How far is Roswell from Auburn AL??
Bought a used oven for 200.00, a powdercoating gun for 100.00, and built a cabinet out of steel from lowes(50.00). I use it on everything now.
Here is another shot of the suspension. I purchased all my powder from www.eastwood.com

geo65

looks nice...are there certain components that do not look well powder coated? do you plan to coat the radiator shroud and support also? what about the rear end components?