Can you paint springs?

[adaml23]

Like the subject asks; can you paint the front and rear leaf springs? If so, how and what paint do you recommend?

[dvdswan]

yes you can paint springs.  how in depth are you planning to go?  if you plan on tearing them apart be sure to have all you need to put them back together.  ie, any cushion pads, new center pin, large c-clamps and a long center pin to get the springs lined back up to get the new center pin in.  I'm sure I'm forgetting something.  but if you are leaving the springs on the truck you can just spray them.

[78BIG-TEN]

I sandblasted my springs and painted them with GM Restoration Black paint

[LTZ C20]

I used spray on bed liner, no problems yet.

[adaml23]

I guess I didn't think about taking them apart and painting them. I was just talking about painting with the springs off the truck (I need a new rear end and have to replace one of the rear spring perches, so they're fully coming off the truck). But If I'm going to do it, I may as well fully repaint them.

Three Questions (with more to follow, I'm sure):

1.  How do I know if the springs are still good and worth redoing? None of them are broken and they don't seem to be sagging (with the bed off at least).

2.   Where do you get the misc. parts you're talking about (cushion pads, new center pin, large c-clamps and a long center pin to get the springs lined back up to get the new center pin in)?

3.   Is there a write up/link somewhere for seperating the springs and putting them back together?

[LTZ C20]

Look in the tech section for your year service manual, go to the suspension section, there might be info in the manual about how to completely disassemble and reassemble the rear suspension. Worth a shot.

[adaml23]

That was a good suggestion but unfortunately it doesn't show that much detail. Furthest it broke down was to taking the springs off. I'm glad that you pointed me to that cause that manual will be very handy in the future.

[LTZ C20]

No problem. They are even handier when you have a hard copy to look at too in person. If all seems ok, I would just replace the bushing and mounting bolts and paint them as a whole and be done. I painted my whole front half of the frame (including suspension) with out taking anything off. Just taped off and covered what I didn't want sprayed. When I swap beds, I'll hit everything from the cab to rear bumper in the same manner. Then I'll do the under side of the bed too and be done.

[fitz]

I pulled my spring pack apart to paint them.
Use a C clamp to hold the spring pact together as you remove the center pin.
Mark each spring so they go back in the same order.
I cleaned each spring with a wire wheel.
I brushed on 2 coats of Rustoleum rusty metal primer followed by 2 coats of Rustoleum semi gloss paint.
I asymbled the spring pack with a new center pins, spring pads, and poly urethane bushings.
I got the parts at a local sping shop.
Like every other project, the cost adds up quickly.
I think I spent about $150 to complete the project.

[NCali]

I just picked up my springs from a spring shop and they powder coated them