Finishing for Springs

[Lewis's Friend]

Hi All

I am in the middle of refurbishing the underside of my car, including powdercoating suspension components/subframes etc.

I would also like to refinish and protect my springs, but am unsure how best to do this. Can they be powdercoated or if not, what is the factory finish?

My first concern is that the finish not crack too easily with movement, but also I wasn't sure if the heat used in the powdercoating process (assuming this finish is otherwise suitable) would adversely effect the spring's properties. Looking online, people were mentioning concerns about removing the temper of the springs etc...

What have others found is best on springs?

Thanks

[GreenV8S]

I doubt you need to be concerned about tempering the springs. Powder coating would be done below 200C and tempering is done at 400+. I guess the main concerns would be having enough flexibility, and being tough enough to cope with being ground against the spring seats as the suspension flexes.

[Lewis's Friend]

Cheers for that.

What finish do OE suppliers favour? Is it powdercoating or another process?

I understand that there can be concerns about annealing the steel which can happen (material dependent) at about 260degC+. Though I have no expertise in this at all (and as you say, if the powdercoating is done at below 200degC shouldn't be an issue anyway).

[McVities]

Acid etch primer and a top coat of plastikote?