N.O.S. Coill Springs- Rust Free! How To Protect?

[Rich C.]

I just found a set of N.O.S. front coil springs for my '73. The finish is awesome, no surface rust! Being 'spring steel' is there any kind of clear protective coating that wouldn't peel due to the movement of them? I know as far as judging surface rust is OK, but I can't imagine there is a whole lot of these left, seems a shame to let them rust once I restore the car. 4 different coil spring part #'s for 73-74 alone, pretty lucky to find the set I needed.

'73 LS-4 454, owned 21 3/4 years

Smu ttynose 'Finestkind' IPA, now on tap!

[Alan S.]

Re: N.O.S. Coill Springs- Rust Free! How To Protect?

Hi Rich,
NICE find!
Could you please describe the appearance/finish you're seeing, or maybe a picture of your springs?
Thanks very much.
Regards,
Alan

[Paul J.]

Re: N.O.S. Coill Springs- Rust Free! How To Protect?

Being 'spring steel' is there any kind of clear protective coating that wouldn't peel due to the movement of them?

If it's natural, any clear paint will work just fine, but it's not correct for judging (it darkens natural steel). The secret is to apply light, thin coats and avoid heavy build up. There are different clears out there, and if you search the archives you can find out what's preferred. However, if you want a "correct" finish on bare steel there are several coatings like WD-40, but these require periodic maintenance. There are better coatings than this but the names escape me right now. I know that they're listed in the archives but maybe someone else will remember.

Paul

[Patrick H.]

Re: N.O.S. Coill Springs- Rust Free! How To Protect?

Look at CRC SP-400:

http://www.crcindustries.com/ei/content/prod_detail.aspx?PN=03282&S=Y

or the Heavy Duty version:

http://www.crcindustries.com/ei/content/prod_detail.aspx?PN=06026&S=Y

[Patrick B.]

Re: N.O.S. Coill Springs- Rust Free! How To Protect?

Look at CRC SP-400:

http://www.crcindustries.com/ei/content/prod_detail.aspx?PN=03282&S=Y

or the Heavy Duty version:

http://www.crcindustries.com/ei/cont...x?PN=06026&S=Y

CRC SP-400 is great for preserving blocks, heads, firearms and such in storage. It is like a spray cosmoline. But, it is a yellowish brown and stays kind of sticky. I think it would be a magnet for road dust, and you would wind up removing it. It is easily removable with paint thinner.

[Patrick H.]

Re: N.O.S. Coill Springs- Rust Free! How To Protect?

CRC SP-400 is great for preserving blocks, heads, firearms and such in storage. It is like a spray cosmoline. But, it is a yellowish brown and stays kind of sticky. I think it would be a magnet for road dust, and you would wind up removing it. It is easily removable with paint thinner.

He could look at one of the "lower numbers" of CRC as well.
I know it's been recommended for this purpose previously, but have not used it myself.

[Alan S.]

Re: N.O.S. Coill Springs- Rust Free! How To Protect?

Hi,
I've had good results with PreLube6.
It gives good protection (especially if the car lives a pampered life), but doesn't lend any color to the part and isn't sticky.
I'm still using some I bought from Quanta, the gas tank people.
Regards,
Alan

[Wayne M.]

Re: N.O.S. Coill Springs- Rust Free! How To Protect?

He could look at one of the "lower numbers" of CRC as well.
I know it's been recommended for this purpose previously, but have not used it myself.

Believe a recent post mentioned CRC SP-350, which should be a lighter (less waxy/sticky) version of the SP-400.

Can't find the 11 oz spray can up here in Canada. Anyone suggest a store in the Pacific Northwest, as I may be going to the NW NCRS Regional at Seaside OR. Should one can do the trick for the front coils ?

[Kevin G.]

Re: N.O.S. Coill Springs- Rust Free! How To Protect?

I have had great success with CRC SP 350. It was difficult to find but was able to find the spray cans at Grainger.

[Rich C.]

Re: N.O.S. Coill Springs- Rust Free! How To Protect?

[QUOTE=Alan Struck (15579);604370]Hi Rich,
NICE find!
Could you please describe the appearance/finish you're seeing, or maybe a picture of your springs?
Thanks very much.
Regards,
Alan[/QUOTE

Camera on loan, I'll post photo as soon as I get it back! Do you agree that protecting them is worth a few points in judging? How many of parts like these could be left on the planet? Thnk you all!

'73 LS-4 454, owned 21 3/4 years!

Smu ttynose 'Finestkind' IPA, now on tap!

[Steven B.]

Re: N.O.S. Coill Springs- Rust Free! How To Protect?

Gibbs Brand, available at gunsmiths. Not sticky, a penetrating liquid. Google Bibbs Brand Lubricants,

[Doug L.]

Re: N.O.S. Coill Springs- Rust Free! How To Protect?

I used "Fluid Film" on my differential and "Pre Lube 6" on my coil springs and multiple other parts that were supposed to be bare metal. These applications were made over 1 year ago and here in Florida bare metal rusts overnight. So far the parts look exactly ike they did when the products were appied. They look natural, are not glossy and do not change the color of the metal. You can't really tell that there is a coating on them. Both products gave the same finished appearance.

[Patrick H.]

Re: N.O.S. Coill Springs- Rust Free! How To Protect?

I've used Pre-Lube 6 on a lot of things, but suggested the heavier CRC products because you can't really get at springs to re-apply anything once installed.
However, it does work very well.

[Gary B.]

Re: N.O.S. Coill Springs- Rust Free! How To Protect?

I just found a set of N.O.S. front coil springs for my '73. The finish is awesome, no surface rust! Being 'spring steel' is there any kind of clear protective coating that wouldn't peel due to the movement of them? I know as far as judging surface rust is OK, but I can't imagine there is a whole lot of these left, seems a shame to let them rust once I restore the car. 4 different coil spring part #'s for 73-74 alone, pretty lucky to find the set I needed.

'73 LS-4 454, owned 21 3/4 years

Smu ttynose 'Finestkind' IPA, now on tap!

Rich,

The GM NOS coil spring I bought for my '66 some years ago and still have in storage looks to me to have a black paint on it. Is that how your NOS coil spring looks? Or is your spring clearly bare spring?

Gary

[Michael B.]

Re: N.O.S. Coill Springs- Rust Free! How To Protect?

To control rusting I used a Rust Inhibitor product from Rustoleum for my undercarrage items. This is not a clear paint. It goes on with the consistancy a little heavier than WD-40 and takes about 1/2 hour to dry. Visually, it is nearly undetectable but does have a slight waxy feel to the touch.