R. Bruno

I just received new halfshafts from ZIP. They appear to be steel. Any ideas on how I should prep and paint them? Will steel primer and paint stick?

jvm

I just did mine. Pulled them off, punched out the u-joints, put them in a bead balsting cabinet , and then painted them. Just don't get them greasy after blasting them. They will be chemicaly clean, meaning they will rust pronto. I heard from these forum guys that if you paint them ricer yellow you can get 10 more horsepower out of them.

sb69coupe

If you've got new ones that are bare steel, shoot them with a nice coat of satin clear to preserve the natural finish. That's the correct finish for them. If they are a little rusty you can clean them up and either clear them, or paint with Cast Blast or similar.

Shannon

ScubaJKD

Painted mine with Steel Silver. I like the silver look. Some people like to have them powder coated. :seeya

R. Bruno

Thanks guys. - sb69coupe- They are bare steel and new so I may just go with your suggestion. What is Satin Clear?

MotorHead

Slightly off topic here but is there such a thing a high heat clear coat and if there is whio makes it ?

Brutus

Powder coating the half shafts is a definite no-no due to the heat that has to be applied during the coating process. Similar thing with chrome plating them.
I'm in the same situation after just having new tubes fitted to the half shafts. Some clown had held them in a vise long ago and had dented them in the process.

ScubaJKD

Bob your full of it. Lots of people powder coat driveshafts without any problem at all. Its a much more durable surface than paint and nothing like chrome. :smash:

Brutus

Maybe you should go and talk with a drive shaft specialist like I just did yesterday before you go shooting off your mouth. The information I was given was that they use heat in the straightening process when building shafts and the reapplication of heat from powder coating is not recommended by those in the know.

GTR1999

I cleaned them,painted them with POR15 black, then top coated w/POR15 Metal Mask for a silver/grey look. I just held the strut rods I did against the new Muskegon rear cover and the color is close to the natural but you can tell it's paint.
Gary

FeedVaal

Moterhead, VHT makes a high heat clear but I've never used it. Its available at my local speed shop.

ScubaJKD

FYI the powder coating process bakes the park at 375 degrees. About the same temp you use to cook a turkey. It is hardly damaging to the structural integrity of the metal in a driveshaft. Or the heat from our exhaust systems would be melting our driveshafts and everyones rear end would be falling out. But I am sure the shop flunkie in australia that you spoke with yesterday invented driveshafts and is the subject matter expert on metal prep. :jester Just givin you a hard time Bob, now get on the right side of the street before you kill someone Aussie. :jester :lol: :lol: :lol: :cheers:

sb69coupe

I don't recall the brand of satin clear that I used, but most any decent paint brand should have spray cans of satin finish clear. Just shoot on a few light coats and you'll protect the natural finish without it being too noticable that clear has been applied.

Now back to your regularly scheduled flame-fest.......
Shannon

Brutus

Please forgive me for not realising you were an expert on the structural integrity of metals and the effects of heat application. It's always such an enlightening experience talking to people such as yourself who can criticise those who specialise in their chosen profession. I'll be sure to let the "flunkie" know what Americans think his knowledge and abilities.
Then again you're only relying on what "others" have said and not from personal experience because you just painted your half shafts didn't you. Now there's first hand knowledge for you.
Btw I have no intention of following your lead of slighting specialists or their abilities whether they come from Australia or America as you seem so intent on doing.
I hope you will excuse me for taking more heed of what an expert (Australian or otherwise) tells me than someone who is more in tune with how to cook a turkey.

Lt1er

Powder coating like my unit requires 375+ degrees baking in and oven. I would not do it to any metal that can warp or change the temper of the metal.

ScubaJKD

Brutus, lighten up just teasing with you. :lol: I am not slighting Aussies or your mechanics. Notice the jester symbol, and lots of laughter. I am certainly no expert myself. However I have had the driveshaft powder coated in other cars so I do have first hand experience with this. Just could not afford it at the time on my vette, or I would have gone that way again. Primarily because the finish holds up so well over time. This process was recommended to me, just like it was not recommended to you. By a "quote" professional. I am sure there are pros and cons to this finish just like everything else. Throw another shrimp and half shaft on the barbie buddy, beer is on me. :seeya

mountainmotor

"I just received new halfshafts from ZIP. They appear to be steel. Any ideas on how I should prep and paint them? Will steel primer and paint stick?"

Certainly it will stick.I would scuff them good so either the primer before"preferably the anti rust kind from Rustoleam or Krylon" painting will stick well or just scuff them and put a light coat of engine enamel or plain old Rustoleam areosol rust preventive paint if originality is not your intent.I personally use a product call Hammerite.It is available in aerosol at most of the larger hardware stores and the finish is battle tough.The black will turn more into a gun metal gray after time.Mess around with it.If you do not like your decision let the stuff cure and repaint.
I hope this helps your original question!
I edited to point out some thing.How hot do you think the metal gets when the yokes are welded to the shaft?Get where I am coming from?
_______



[Modified by mountainmotor, 5:50 PM 12/20/2001]

Brutus

Believe me I wanted to powder coat everything I could lay my hands on, but I will defer to their recommendation about not doing it to the half shafts. They just put new tubes in the half shafts yesterday and did a nice job of finishing them off and with a little more sanding they have come up very nice indeed. It'd be a real shame to cover them up with anything really. I've already chromed and painted various bits and pieces so hopefully the finished job should look half decent.
I just threw myself into the pool so I'm all better again now. :seeya

mountainmotor

Well the neat thing about it is that the car is yours.You can do what you want to it and if you do not like the results you can always change it!
And don't be rubbing that pool thing in! it is cold in North America with months left to go! He He!

Brutus

There ya go then....I wiped the sweat off my forehead and even put a T-shirt on to write this. :D
We've just finished laying 4 1/2 cubic metres of concrete here.......time for a beer or three and I'm sorry to say........another dip in the pool. :cheers: