Can I paint my suspension??

[Jason94sport]

My front springs, & rear leaf springs are rusted. It's just surface rust, but it looks really bad. Can I sand them down, & paint them black? Is this really hard to do? Will this help stop the rust from being a major problem?
Thanks

 

[rpenner54]

Sure you can. Just get out a wire wheel and have at them. Get them all cleaned up and coat them up. The only problem might be that the paint will get scratched off over time again. Surface rust really isn't that big of a deal on those things.

 

[Derrick C.]

I did the whole underneath of my truck. I sanded everything that was real bad and sprayed it with a paint called Tough Enough. It prevents rust or eliminates it. This is the first time I've used it but all my friends have had good luck with it. Just my .02 cents!!!!!!

 

[IgotTwo]

After a good cleaning with degreaser and a wire brush here and there (not going crazy), I hit the rusty spots with "rust deadener" before I paint it.
The stuff is cheap, water soluble, dries quickly and turns rust a "flat black" (could almost pass for paint) It seems to give the paint a chance to hang on better.

If I'm using a brush with stain black paint, I thin it out to give it a little "splashable" consistency otherwise it is an endlees effort to "pull" the paint and get good coverage. Its also easier if you want to go for two coats. It also easier for you to get splashed! haha
Hey, works for me.

 

[exploreraudio]

Hey, guys

I haven't tried this, but it just came to mind when I read the post.

How about some of that "Rubberized Undercoating"? It's not a nice flat finish (it's kind of rubbery), but it's really flexible, and it won't chip easily. Either that, or maybe some type of truck bed-liner spray

 

[95ExplorerLtd]

Yes, be sure to sand the parts! Every once in a good while after I was the truck I'll paint the rear axle and sway bar, and the IFS. They all have minor surface rust and I just spray flat black Krylon on them. Lasts and looks good for a while, but after you wheel it a little it takes the paint right off and the rust comes back out. Next time I can get around to it, I'll sand them first.