Powder coat or paint springs?

[HeavyMetalFox]

Hey all. I have EMU lift with yellow springs but I’m seeing some people powder coating their springs. I googled it a bit and came across some opposing theory that paint is more flexible and less likely to crack.
I wheel my JLUR pretty hard and like the idea of custom coloured springs. What are your thoughts? To paint or to powder?

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[autotragic]

Well springs are generally powder coated if aftermarket or e-coated if OEM.

 

[m3reno]

Powder coating lasted a long time on my wheels, over 14 years. Not sure if they use heat when powder coating.

 

[Pig-Pen]

Powder coating lasted a long time on my wheels, over 14 years. Not sure if they use heat when powder coating.

yes they use heat. They bake it in the oven.

paint wont last, especially under the vehicle where rocks and debris may hit it.

 

[Jeep Wick]

Hey all. I have EMU lift with yellow springs but I’m seeing some people powder coating their springs. I googled it a bit and came across some opposing theory that paint is more flexible and less likely to crack.
I wheel my JLUR pretty hard and like the idea of custom coloured springs. What are your thoughts? To paint or to powder?

If your pic is accurate, the yellow will compliment your Jeep. I think you'll be disappointed in paint, powder coat if you must.

 

[Roky]

Hey all. I have EMU lift with yellow springs but I’m seeing some people powder coating their springs. I googled it a bit and came across some opposing theory that paint is more flexible and less likely to crack.
I wheel my JLUR pretty hard and like the idea of custom coloured springs. What are your thoughts? To paint or to powder?

I wouldn’t powder coat the coils, some companies won’t warranty them if you powder coat them……. This is from Metal Cloak….

Note: MetalCloak does not recommend powder coating your True Dual Rate coils. The baking process in powder coating can, in some cases, cause the metallurgical properties of the coils to be changed, resulting in the loss of the lift properties of the coils. As such, the process of powder coating the coils will void any warranty stated or implied in relation to the coils.

 

[Pig-Pen]

If you were to have it done, youd want them to use the lowest heat possible.

another option is to sand the coils with high grit sandpaper and spray paint them with good spray paint. flat black. A few coats. Then you can easily touch them up in the future if need be. I mean, sorta. Theyre in a difficult spot to access.

 

[Yawnie'sPapa]

Hey all. I have EMU lift with yellow springs but I’m seeing some people powder coating their springs. I googled it a bit and came across some opposing theory that paint is more flexible and less likely to crack.
I wheel my JLUR pretty hard and like the idea of custom coloured springs. What are your thoughts? To paint or to powder?

Powder coating. Been doing it on my cars for a while.

I powder coated the springs for the front of my 70 Javelin and they still looked fresh when I sold it years later.
The heat doesn't bother them - at least those factory springs it didn't.

450 degrees to melt, 400 for 20 minutes to cure after melt.

I'm not the only one powder coating car and truck springs for restoration purposes with no issues at all.
Many springs COME powder coated. The trick is to heat to the point of powder melting thoroughly (and the spring won't be completely heated to full temp) and then drop the temp back for curing.
Some like Synergy, come powder coated (see second pic)
People fret over it needlessly. Even spring manufacturers powder coat and I've done it myself for years.

This is from my 1970 Javelin I did years ago ->

And this is from Synergy ->

 

[m3reno]

I wouldn’t powder coat the coils, some companies won’t warranty them if you powder coat them……. This is from Metal Cloak….

Note: MetalCloak does not recommend powder coating your True Dual Rate coils. The baking process in powder coating can, in some cases, cause the metallurgical properties of the coils to be changed, resulting in the loss of the lift properties of the coils. As such, the process of powder coating the coils will void any warranty stated or implied in relation to the coils.

That's why I mentioned the heat, I was afraid that it would change the characteristics of the coil spring.

 

[JLfromCA]

Powder coat

 

[Pig-Pen]

Powder coating. Been doing it on my cars for a while.

I powder coated the springs for the front of my 70 Javelin and they still looked fresh when I sold it years later.
The heat doesn't bother them - at least those factory springs it didn't.

450 degrees to melt, 400 for 20 minutes to cure after melt.

I'm not the only one powder coating car and truck springs for restoration purposes with no issues at all.
Many springs COME powder coated. The trick is to heat to the point of powder melting thoroughly (and the spring won't be completely heated to full temp) and then drop the temp back for curing.
Some like Synergy, come powder coated (see second pic)
People fret over it needlessly. Even spring manufacturers powder coat and I've done it myself for years.

This is from my 1970 Javelin I did years ago ->

And this is from Synergy ->

the manufacturers are just concerned with someone using too much heat and causing issues. Wheel manufacturers often state this as well. CYA thing. Basically youre on your own if you have issues later. I dont remember who but one company would only use paint. Even some brake caliper manufacturers state this. Obviously wheels get powdercoated every day. Can also cause issues when they strip the old finish off if they dont use the right stuff.

 

[Roky]

That's why I mentioned the heat, I was afraid that it would change the characteristics of the coil spring.

Yeah, people powder coat all the time, but if you actually wheel your rig a lot, the springs are gonna get scratched and dinged…. I found it’s easier to just hit them with the rattle can and be done, when power coat chips off it looks like crap when you just spray over it, you can still see the chip, now it’s just the same color, lol.. You can repair it with dabbing/brushing with liquid paint and get it to look decent if you have the patience for it…… Of course I wouldn’t hesitate to PC springs on a pavement princess or a show car…..I just wanted to let OP know that it can void the warranty with certain companies, but then again, I’ve never had to warranty a coil spring either, lol…..

 

[HeavyMetalFox]

That's why I mentioned the heat, I was afraid that it would change the characteristics of the coil spring.

Oow this is good to know! I have OME and I bet they have a similar statement. I’ll have to look it up now. Thanks!

 

[HeavyMetalFox]

If your pic is accurate, the yellow will compliment your Jeep. I think you'll be disappointed in paint, powder coat if you must.

Yep. That’s my Jeep. I took another look after making the post and the springs themselves are black. The shocks are yellow. So thinking of making the springs yellow to match

 

[Yawnie'sPapa]

the manufacturers are just concerned with someone using too much heat and causing issues. Wheel manufacturers often state this as well. CYA thing. Basically youre on your own if you have issues later. I dont remember who but one company would only use paint. Even some brake caliper manufacturers state this. Obviously wheels get powdercoated every day. Can also cause issues when they strip the old finish off if they dont use the right stuff.

Yup - possibly attorneys are involved.
And I agree - don't take wheels and springs to people powdercoating industrial steel equipment.
it's a CYA thing.

I've powder coated brake calipers on my cars as well as having bought brand new master cylinders, stripped them down, powder coated them and put them all back together. Fluid won't mess with it like paint - it will over time but not if you keep things clean and don't have leaks.

This one I did several years ago (which reminds me - time for another brake flush!) The lid I did in yellow zinc.

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