C2 Suspension Parts Paint Recommendations

[James W.]

What is a good suspension paint for a C2 Corvette? I am having the rear differential and trailing arms in my'65 rebuilt and need a good paint to refinish the black suspension components.

Also who sells the closest match gray paint for the rear spring?


Thanks,

James West

[Ed S.]

Re: C2 Suspension Parts Paint Recommendations

James - sorry no one has offered any recommendations. Perhaps this will get the data flowing. Re black for rear suspension components - I think the issue you are going to run into is how does any black paint you decide on compare / match the portions of the frame that you do not plan on painting. For what it is worth, I used SEM Trim Black for the suspension parts you are asking about - haven't had the car judged but the shade of black is soft - not too shiny - it looks good / right. As for grey leaf spring paint - I did a lot of searching on this Forum for an answer to the same question - there are a lot of opinions / recommendations but... as I recall, the consensus was that no current shade of grey is a dead on match for the original color. That said, the product most recommended (again as I recall) was leaf spring grey sold by Quanta - that is what I went with. Hope this helps.

[Larry M.]

Re: C2 Suspension Parts Paint Recommendations

Quanta used to sell 5 different shades of acrylic enamel black paint. Now they are down to offering only three. But their MEDIUM gloss level is not bad to consider. If you find it too glossy, then try the SEM mentioned above.........or perhaps the Krylon Industrial semi flat black lacquer. Many like this for the engine compartment. I do not have the code number handy for the Krylon at this time, but can get it for you in a day or so if you need.

The rear is natural steel..........so you can either use a satin clear or consider something like Eastwood or Seymour Cast Steel...which is a slight different shade than the Cast Blast. But this will likely take a judging hit........although it will look pretty original to most.

Quanta used to sell the exact zinc coating for the rear spring that GM used, but discontinued it years ago due to EPA regulations. It was called Ionaklad (spelling may be off some). I use and recommend Krylon Sprayon Cold Galvanizing Compound which is very very similar and almost pure zinc. It is available on-line and from marine supply houses. We also use it in the chemical plants to touch up I-beam welds, etc.

Blair's uses black powder coat for their trailing arms. It looks pretty good, but again will take some hit on judging points. They will use paint on special request.........and the Quanta Medium I mentioned above should go well in this application. I went with the standard powder coat for my own car (which is not judged). It is fine.

Larry

[James W.]

Re: C2 Suspension Parts Paint Recommendations

Thanks for the feedback. I bought the Krylon 1613 semi-flat black on Amazon this morning. I'll look up the cold galv. tonight.

James

[Larry M.]

Re: C2 Suspension Parts Paint Recommendations

Here is a link to the cold galvanizing I have used. You can check on-line to see where best to buy. It requires a few spray cans for a total spring.

https://www.sprayon.com/product/wl740-zinc-rich-galvanizing-compound/

I purchased my supply from a local marine supply house, since I live at the ocean's edge. But we also used it in the chemical plants for steel touch-up as I stated earlier.

Larry

[James W.]

Re: C2 Suspension Parts Paint Recommendations

I found the Krylon Industrial spray galvanizing compound on Amazon. Is the color too dark? Also found your recommended brand on Amazon for $25.00/can. Can it be bought cheaper through a different vendor?

James

Krylon K05872 Professional Primer, Galvanizing Primer, 20 Ounce

Here is a link to the cold galvanizing I have used. You can check on-line to see where best to buy. It requires a few spray cans for a total spring.

https://www.sprayon.com/product/wl740-zinc-rich-galvanizing-compound/

I purchased my supply from a local marine supply house, since I live at the ocean's edge. But we also used it in the chemical plants for steel touch-up as I stated earlier.

Larry

[Larry M.]

Re: C2 Suspension Parts Paint Recommendations

Zoro has it for about $10/can + shipping. I think I paid about $10-12/can about 10 years ago here locally.

https://www.zoro.com/sprayon-galvanize-coating-gray-16-oz-sz-aerosol-sc0740000/i/G0749581/

What you show may well be the same stuff.........but I can't verify that. I should work as well, I know of others that have used similar products to that and are generally happy. The specs look similar.

Larry

EDIT: The gray color patch you show looks about right me. I think it may be a bit lighter when you actually use it........but not much.

[James W.]

Re: C2 Suspension Parts Paint Recommendations

Larry,

Thanks for the link, much better than the $25 price on Amazon. As you mentioned, it takes 2 to 3 cans to coat all the springs leaves in the rear spring assembly, correct?


Thanks,

James

Zoro has it for about $10/can + shipping. I think I paid about $10-12/can about 10 years ago here locally.

https://www.zoro.com/sprayon-galvanize-coating-gray-16-oz-sz-aerosol-sc0740000/i/G0749581/

What you show may well be the same stuff.........but I can't verify that. I should work as well, I know of others that have used similar products to that and are generally happy. The specs look similar.

Larry

EDIT: The gray color patch you show looks about right me. I think it may be a bit lighter when you actually use it........but not much.

[Larry M.]

Re: C2 Suspension Parts Paint Recommendations

Correct.

Larry

[Ron G.]

Re: C2 Suspension Parts Paint Recommendations

James,

The closest thing and actually is what GM used is GM reconditioning paint, part number: 1050104. Unfortunately this paint is no longer available from GM and the formula has changed a little. When GM use to sell it, it had a nice semi-sheen to it. It is now available from Melrose Corvette. This was used under the hood, wheel wells, engine compartment, and parts were dipped painted in it. To me it is now more of a flatter finish than the original, but I suggest using it. If you are going to use a spray gun there is no thinner necessary, just stir well and go. Same for dipping parts. - Ron

[Mark M.]

Re: C2 Suspension Parts Paint Recommendations

James, is the spring from your 65 the original. If so had you noticed any of the original zinc paint on the bottom but more interesting the top surfaces ? Cold galvanize paint is sold in most hardware stores and usually is high in zinc content like the original paint. Theres usually a number of brand names there and they all look like the same matt finish. We would use it on cuts and repairs made on hot dip galvanized parts in building structures. A pricey brand would be sent out and I see little difference to the hardware store cans. 2 cans should do a spring. The can does empty fast with cold gal. spray. Its corrosion protection and lubricant for the spring like the original paint. Everyone has a preference on trailing arm paint but I've always liked rustoleum semi gloss black.

[Ron G.]

Re: C2 Suspension Parts Paint Recommendations

James,

In regard to the paint on the rear spring, there have been numerous post on this in the past. The long and short of it is that the rear spring was originally painted with Ionoklad 200 - L weld thru primer. I have done the research back in the early 80's and even had several conversations with line workers who actually performed the task. I still have an original 1 gallon can. - Ron

[Mark M.]

Re: C2 Suspension Parts Paint Recommendations

Hi Ron, I can appreciate all your efforts to research and inform us. Since I don't know of any source for all of us to get the original paint, could you tell us what paint you believe may be comparable to the original paint you have! Also were the line workers you spoke with on the St. Louis corvette line or the workers at the spring suppliers? I'm currently looking at c2 and c3 line pictures and more original springs I've found. Thanks for your help.

[Larry M.]

Re: C2 Suspension Parts Paint Recommendations

The Ionaklad was applied at the spring factory making and assembling the rear springs. It was applied as a liquid with a brush to the tension surfaces of the spring..........but coverage was erratic and not uniform.

EPA regs caused Quanta to cease making (or having it made) and supplying this product.

Ron may wish to add or to correct me...............

Larry

[Ron G.]

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.