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A
- A darn good question Greg.
All
of our custom made springs are shipped bare metal. A film of metal dust is
left on the surfaces of each leaf from the shot peening process. This film
covering protects the spring's surfaces from rust. (don't leave them in
the rain or a hose running on them)
The
1st thing to do is to dry fit the springs just to be sure the fit and
finish is what you expected. Now remember, if the vehicle is not
completely finished, engine, trans, sheet metal, glass, interior are all
not installed then weight is missing and springs support weight. Therefore
your ride will sit high.
Once
they have been dry fitted and you like the fit, clean off the metal dust
film so the coating will bond. Do not be stupid - DO NOT USE GASOLINE!
Simply
put, powder coating is a process where dry paint particles are sprayed
onto the surfaces on the spring. Then the springs are heated which melts
and bonds the paint particles to the metal.
In
order to get the paint particles hot enough to bond they must be heated
very close to the annealing temperature of the spring steel. Annealing
means the heat treatment of the springs is being removed. Annealed springs
will no longer support any weight. Figure $225.00 to $250.00 per spring to
fix this goof up.
To
have the powder coat work without softening the springs the heat MUST be
held to less than 350 degrees.
Painting
should not have to be explained. I use high quality, hi temp engine enamel.
Hang
the spring by an eye and spray 3 to 4 coats of paint. Be sure to let the
paint completely dry in between coats.
Whether
powder coating or painting, do not cover the top of the leaves nor the
bottom part which is covered by the leaf below it. Either type of coating
builds up a few thousands of an inch per leaf. With several leaves in a
spring pack the added thickness will be several thousands of an inch.
The
weakest part of a spring is where the center bolt goes through the leaves.
This section of a spring must be held with such a force that there is very
little movement in the center bolt area.
As
a spring flexes up and down there is wear taking place between the leaves.
If the inner surfaces have been coated this coating will wear through
allowing additional movement in the center bolt area. The additional
movement will allow the u-bolts to loosen and soon you will experience
either a sheared center bolt or a broken spring. There is no warranty on
any spring broken between the u-bolts.
If
the vehicle is driven, after three to four years rust will began seeping
between the leaves of a powder coated spring.
For
a painted spring on a vehicle that is driven, after three to four years
rust will began seeping between the leaves.
Expect
to spend over $100.00 to have the springs powder coated.
Expect
to spend around $20.00 to spray paint a pair of springs.
While a
chromed spring looks neat, it can be a hidden time bomb. An
improper chromed spring may suffer from hydrogen embrittlement. This
causes a spring to shatter. Not break, but shatter into several small
pieces.
A
multi-leaf spring that simply breaks normally will still provide enough
support to safely get the vehicle off the road. However a spring that
shatters may not provide any support leading to catastrophic results.
Chroming
a spring is a very, very skilled procedure and should only be done by an
chrome shop experienced with chroming springs.
I
hope this helps you make up your mind. -
Mike
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