C2 Suspension Parts Paint Recommendations

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Suspension Parts Paint Recommendations

Larry,

With all due respect, there have been numerous posts regarding how rear springs were painted. Franz who played an integral part in the development of the rear spring has an in depth knowledge of of they were manufactured. Although Franz and I agree with the rear springs were finished with, we do disagree on when they started receiving full coverage. The GM spec called for just the top of the leafs to be brush painted and the bottom portion was to be left natural. Again, after having several at length conversations with line workers who actually performed this task informed me that they did as instructed to coat the top portion of each leaf, but found that it was easier and more efficient to just dip each leaf and coated the the entire leaf. I have observed early 63-64 Corvettes painted per spec. Sometime in the mid 60's thru 72 it is my opinion and observation that both sides of the leafs were covered. I just did not take the line workers for their word, but actually went out and observed what I believe to have untouched undercarriages. I did this for the whole car from front to back and from top to bottom. I was fortunate enough to acquire 99% of all coatings/paints that GM utilized for late 60's to early 70's Corvettes. Mark, if you would like to take this subject off line because this has been covered many times in the past I would be happy to send you a pic of the original rear spring paint. I can certainly point you in the right direction. RgodutiLT1@yahoo.com.

Ron------


I believe it was the bottom (tension) surface of the leaves (except the bottom leaf) that was supposed to be coated with the Ionoklad. As I recall, it was Franz Estereicher that told me this. I can say, for certain, this is how the original spring on my 1969 was done. The top surfaces of the leaves were natural steel. A little of the coating applied to the bottom of the leaves did drip down over the sides of the leaves. Most of this was not visible since the borders of the original polyethylene/polypropylene liners extended over part of the sides of the leaves.

My car still has its original spring. However, I've restored it twice. The last time I coated the spring leaves in their entirety with the Ionoklad coating. Not original but I like it that way and there is better corrosion protection.

[Gary B.]

Re: C2 Suspension Parts Paint Recommendations

Joe,

I agree with you that the bottom side of each leaf is the tension side.

Regarding the spring painting, I have seen the GM engineering drawings for multiple Corvette leaf springs and all of them have text that is similar to what is stated on the drawing for GM 14021604, which was the 1980-1982 heavy duty rear spring. The paint spec says:










Gary

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Suspension Parts Paint Recommendations

Joe,

I agree with you that the bottom side of each leaf is the tension side.

Regarding the spring painting, I have seen the GM engineering drawings for multiple Corvette leaf springs and all of them have text that is similar to what is stated on the drawing for GM 14021604, which was the 1980-1982 heavy duty rear spring. The paint spec says:

“Apply 3793118 primer (Ionaklad 200J or equivalent) on tension side of leaf #1 and sides of all leaves (can be applied to all leaves) min coating .0015”


I interpret the text “can be applied to all leaves” to mean all sides of all leaves, if that was easier or quicker for the workers to do.


For earlier Corvette rear springs the GM engineering drawings say the primer was to be applied on the “tension sides and edges of leaves”; there was no different treatment for leaf #1. Based on multiple, unrestored C2 springs that I’ve taken apart, there was paint on more than just the tension sides and edges. I just have to think it was more expedient, time-wise, for the workers not to worry about getting the paint on just the tension sides and edges, without getting it elsewhere.


Gary

Gary------


It's possible that the tension surface of bottom leaf of my spring had been coated with Ionoklad and I did not recognize it because it had become "discolored" from exposure.

I actually took photos of all of the leaves when I first dis-assembled the spring. Unfortunately, it was done with a film camera and the prints are in a big box of prints I took over the course of many years.

[Gary B.]

Re: C2 Suspension Parts Paint Recommendations

Joe,

Given its downward facing exposure to water, rocks, sand, road debris, etc., I would expect the bottom surface of the bottom leaf to have its paint disappear more quickly than paint on any other parts of the rear spring.

Gary

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Suspension Parts Paint Recommendations

Joe,

Given its downward facing exposure to water, rocks, sand, road debris, etc., I would expect the bottom surface of the bottom leaf to have its paint disappear more quickly than paint on any other parts of the rear spring.

Gary

Gary------


The thing is, though, that I don't remember it being "silver appearing" even when the car was new. I had worked at a Chevron gas station when I was in high school (my only employment in the "automotive industry") and I had "lift rights" for many years after that. So, even when it was new I had it up on the lift many times.

[Ron G.]

Re: C2 Suspension Parts Paint Recommendations

Guys,

My bad. I meant to say the bottom, sorry for the era.

[Mark M.]

Re: C2 Suspension Parts Paint Recommendations

I have an original spring here that as I remember, the seller said came from a c2. It's 64-67 type and has original paint visible on mostly the center areas of the bottom (tension) side. Not on the top. I just found another spring that had supposedly came out of a 69 and it has the same paint remnants. A low mile 69 BB car that I recently pulled it's original 9 leaf had some paint on the bottom, but I had not noticed or looked for any paint on the top (compression) side. After hearing Franz's discussion on all this, more info seemed needed. In the book 1969 STINGRAY GUIDEBOOK ,p10 is a picture of the St.Louis assembly line placing a 69 body on it's chassis. The top of the rear spring shows evidence of having the paint. In Noland Adams Tech. vol. 2 second edition p.318 , a 66 coupe and 66 conv. are receiving their bodies. Both show no paint on the top of the springs. In the same book, 64 -67 cars fresh from the assembly line, under car pictures, all show the paint on the bottom sides. The same book shows two 1963 under car pictures and with other 63 assembly line pictures, its hard to say if there's any paint on the 63's. Franz worked with one supplier, North American Rockwell. How they or others painted the springs, early on and later on may be different. It seems springs were supplied with paint on it's top and some not. Eventually it seems all sides were painted. Thanks Joe for help here as we see 69's came both ways.

[James W.]

Re: C2 Suspension Parts Paint Recommendations

Thanks for all the discussion regarding the rear spring paint. When I disassemble it, I will take pictured what I find. To my knowledge or at least since 1975 when my dad bought the car from the second owner it had not been apart. Also, my green zinc primer arrived this afternoon.

Thanks,

James

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Suspension Parts Paint Recommendations

Thanks for all the discussion regarding the rear spring paint. When I disassemble it, I will take pictured what I find. To my knowledge or at least since 1975 when my dad bought the car from the second owner it had not been apart.

Thanks,

James

James------


The purpose of the Ionoklad was not to serve as a corrosion protective coating but to provide high pressure lubricity that the high zinc content Ionoklad provides. The Ionoklad is no longer available as I believe the manufacturer either ceased making it or went out of business. However, I believe that high zinc primers which are available can be used as a very good substitute for both function and appearance.

By the way, for 1978-82 steel springs GM actually went to zinc liners instead of the polyethylene/polypropylene used earlier. I do not know if they also continued to use the Ionoklad.

[Gary B.]

Re: C2 Suspension Parts Paint Recommendations

Joe,

The GM drawing for the 1980-1982 HD spring, GM #14021604 says:

[Ron G.]

[Gary B.]

Re: C2 Suspension Parts Paint Recommendations

...However like I said I accept them both ways and will never deduct for either way it was painted.

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Suspension Parts Paint Recommendations

OK this will be my last reply regarding the finish on rear springs at least on this post. Some of you must think I’m high on something because I’m always coming up with something a little different. I know it’s a spec calls for and I have had many conversations with franz as well as
some of you. However, when I speak to more than one line worker and he informs me that Afterwhile it was just easier to dip the whole leaf than to paint part of it. I took that information and looked at what I believe were untouched rear springs to support what I was told. It’s my opinion that the line workers just deviated from the spec. As a chassis judge whether the leafs are all painted or partially painted I would never deduct for it. I’m not very good at posting pictures on the DB, so Joe and Gary I’m going to email you a picture of the Ionoklad 200-L weld thru primer that not only the line workers told me he was painting with, but also conversations I had with GM purchasing. I will email you both individually of what I have used. I do believe early mid year‘s Springs were partially painted and Joe I certainly believe you regarding your 69, but many early sharks and my 71 that I have owned for 47 years was totally painted. Like said I know what the spec was, but after speaking with people who actually did the job and then supported it by looking at original cars it’s something I have to go with. However like I said I accept them both ways and will never deduct for either way it was painted.

Ron------


Here are the photos you mentioned in your post and sent me:

Ionoklad.jpgIonoklad2.jpg


Also, I have 2 or 3 used 1964-74 9 leaf springs around here. I do not know what specific years they were originally installed on. I'll have to "dissect" them sometime

[James W.]

Re: C2 Suspension Parts Paint Recommendations

I went with a coating from Sprayon. It is a zinc-rich galvanizing compound that was recommended earlier in this thread. The ‘65 TIMJG says the color is light to medium gray so I see no problem in judging. I purchased this product from ZORO for about $9 per can. I'm going to get some picture of the leaf outside in natural light which will make it appear somewhat lighter in color. From the picture of the original product in the post above, I’d say what I have is close enough.

Also, is there a torque specification for the center spring bolt?

James

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Suspension Parts Paint Recommendations

I went with a coating from Sprayon. It is a zinc-rich galvanizing compound that was recommended earlier in this thread. The ‘65 TIMJG says the color is light to medium gray so I see no problem in judging. I purchased this product from ZORO for about $9 per can. I'm going to get some picture of the leaf outside in natural light which will make it appear somewhat lighter in color. From the picture of the original product in the post above, I’d say what I have is close enough.

Also, is there a torque specification for the center spring bolt?

James

James------


I have no spec on the center bolt torque. However, I don't think it's critical, at all. I'd say 20-25 lb/ft is about right.