65 Front Spring Finish

[John O.]

Hello Everyone:

I need to refinish my front springs on my 65 and need some input on what to apply to them to get a correct look. The JM states they, "are coated with a rust inhibitor and have a black appearance." What are some of you using for this? Would something like Prelube 6 from Quanta do the trick, or a thinned black paint? I'm going to be flight judging this car, so I need a finish that will be correct and last fairly good.

As always, thank you for any comments you may have!

-John

[John H.]

Re: 65 Front Spring Finish

If that's what the JG says, I'd quibble with the description; production front springs had no coating at all - they were uncoated natural steel. Most Service springs were painted to keep them from rusting in storage.

[John O.]

Re: 65 Front Spring Finish

John:

Thank you for the response. Is there any product you can think of that would allow me to keep the "natural" finish and not have a lot of rust form on the springs and also not get docked points during judging?

Thanks,
John

[Franz E.]

Re: 65 Front Spring Finish Chevy Livonia & OSP

The 1965 Corvette front variable rate springs (Chevrolet spring chart drawing 3752424) were manufactured by Chevrolet's Livonia Michigan plant or OSP (Ontario Steel Products) in Oshawa, Ontario. After coiling then heat treating each spring was shot peened, tested and palletized for shipment to the assembly plant. Springs have a "natural" spring steel finish. However, engineering had a "rust inhibitor" specification note on the drawing. Livonia and OSP both used "tectyl" dry to the touch oil as a rust inhibitor. The appearance would have a "dark steel finish". Tectyl has a very short salt spray life and performed poorly as a rust inhibitor.

After "bulldozing" to eliminate sag and testing all springs were identified with a dab of paint and tag showing Chevrolet's part number and GM's supplier code. There were different color of paints and tags utilized to identify spring rates and assembly plant usage location.

Hope this helps.

[Michael H.]

Re: 65 Front Spring Finish Chevy Livonia & OSP

Interesting info, thanks Franz. I haven't heard the term "bulldozing" for springs for decades. In the late 60's, GM sent information/tips to those who were preparing 67-69 Camaros for SCCA Trans-Am competition and one of the items discussed was "lowering the front ride height dimension" and this was to be done by bulldozing the front coil springs. The method suggested was to completely collapse the spring in a press and then gently tap the coils a few times with a hammer. It worked.

For many years, new GM service replacement springs were shipped just as you and John Hinckley described. Raw, unpainted, with a light coating of some preservitave. I believe the springs that were coming in through service in the last ten years before being discontinued were painted or coated with something black.

I've found that a product mfg'd by CRC called SP-350, will almost exactly duplicate the coating that would have been on a new spring. It's an industrial/military product that leaves a very thin, almost invisible parafin/cosmoline coat that will last for years and years. It's about the consistancy of water as applied before the carriers evaporate out, so it's very easy to use. Just about $100. a gallon though, last time checked. I use Sp-350 on a LOT of the exposed metal parts of the 66 that I drive and there has been zero rust or corrosion in the last 20+ years. I was impressed.

Michael