Front Springs

[Rob M.]

Okay,

I've read the archives (lots of posts) about front springs. I have a couple of questions that weren't clear from the archives. First, is there any reason I should not media blast original springs to clean them up? Second, how does one replicate the finish? The JG states that they were coated with a rust inhibitor and have a black appearance. I saw that using gun blue coating is close, is that my best bet?

BTW - 66 327/300

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and experience,

[Michael H.]

Re: Front Springs

Okay,

I've read the archives (lots of posts) about front springs. I have a couple of questions that weren't clear from the archives. First, is there any reason I should not media blast original springs to clean them up? Second, how does one replicate the finish? The JG states that they were coated with a rust inhibitor and have a black appearance. I saw that using gun blue coating is close, is that my best bet?

BTW - 66 327/300

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and experience,

Rob,

The original final process during manufacture of new springs called for "shot peen the entire surface".

About the best you can do for a reasonably correct finish/look would be to have the springs cleaned in a tumbler. That will probably come close.

Glass beading will result in a dull finish that is too light, or white. The original finish/color was silver and slightly reflective.

Springs installed on the assembly line were not coated with anything that was black, as mentioned in the JG. I don't know where that info came from.

The light coating that was applied was a form of cosmoline and was nearly transparent. It was for rust prevention.