C-3 Shock Absorber Finish

[Jeremy D.]

I'm getting ready to paint the Pliacell shocks for my '71....I was just wondering if the General used a primer coat on them first, then the paint, or if they just shot the paint onto bare metal. And if I'm not mistaken, the lower bushings were installed when GM or whoever painted the shocks but not the tops, right? My JM's wandering around in the barn somewhere.....

[Chuck S.]

Re: C-3 Shock Absorber Finish

I'm getting ready to paint the Pliacell shocks for my '71....I was just wondering if the General used a primer coat on them first, then the paint, or if they just shot the paint onto bare metal. And if I'm not mistaken, the lower bushings were installed when GM or whoever painted the shocks but not the tops, right? My JM's wandering around in the barn somewhere.....

Most manufacturers do not try to finish hidden functional parts to look nice forever. The objective is to provide minimal corrosion protection for the expected life of the part, in order to give the customer a product that remains functional, doesn't become unattractive, and preserves, maybe enhances, the company's reputation and image in the process.

No primer was used; the objectives above would be accomplished with a single thin coat of inexpensive paint on degreased bare steel. If you are painting replacement shocks Delco gray, use the original finish as your primer...the resulting finish will have film build at least twice as thick as original.

[Alan S.]

Re: C-3 Shock Absorber Finish

Hi Jeremy,
I think Chuck is right-on. But, of course I knew better. I primed my originals first and then painted 2 coats. They looked beautiful, ( does that matter? ), but you could hardly read the Delco I.D., part# and date. As with bathing suits... thin is better.
Regards,
Alan

[David M.]

Re: C-3 Shock Absorber Finish

Thin is definitely in. I lost 1 or 2 points at a National with my 72 because the shock paint was " Too heavy".