Painting a spring

john in illinois

john in illinois

Well-known member
Getting ready to paint the front spring on my roadster. Would you paint each leaf separately or assemble and then paint. I am going to use slip plate graphite between the leaves.

John
 
Hi John,
I painted my spring after I assembled it. While apart I cleaned everything up , and then I used the Slip Plate Spray and put it together.
I cleaned off any excess Slip Plate spray before painting.

Happy with the result.
Pete from OZ
 
For the last 20 years I have had my springs and suspension powder coated and have done each leaf individually. I just like the fact that everything is coated with no chance for rust. I usually put some form of poly that doesn't show between each leaf. I've done a few powdered coated with slip plate, then wrapped them with tape and one with leather. I'm not a purest so how I do it doesn't really matter!
 
If your vehicle has pressure lubricated transverse original springs (lube fitting on underside-middle), they should have lubrication groves on the top face of each leaf, centered in the width of the leaf face. If so, reassemble with all groves facing upward.
 
Re: What is Slip Plate Graphite?

Sorry to hijack this thread but what is Slip Plate Graphite? I've never heard of it and am curious as I will be putting my springs together soon.
Thanks, Bruce/CT
 
I've always done mine individually. I smear grease on them before assembly. It may not be the cleanest, but it's probably just about how it looked when they left Dearborn.
 
I originally used slip plate on the older style corn planters back in the 70's with a plastic or steel plate that turned under the seed box to space the seed.
 
SLIP Plate® No. 1 is the original graphite dry lubricant in the market used to solve sliding friction problems since 1975. This product is formulated with a very high concentration of friction fighting graphite and a proprietary binder system to provide a long-lasting dry lubrication for the heaviest loads. When applied and dried, SLIP Plate® No. 1 creates a dry anti-friction graphite coating that does not attract and trap dust, dirt, mud, or grit as compared with greases and oils. Naturally hydrophobic, it provides lasting protection from rain, snow and mud to help to prevent rust and corrosion. SLIP Plate® is excellent to reduce wear and extend the operating life machinery.

SLIP Plate® No. 3 is formulated with the same technology to make our heavy-duty SLIP Plate® No. 1 product, but it can be sprayed easily using a conventional spray gun applicator and dry very quickly. This product is ideal for large coverage areas. When applied and dried, SLIP Plate® No. 3 creates a dry anti-friction graphite coating that does not attract and trap dust, dirt, mud, or grit as compared with greases and oils. Naturally hydrophobic, it provides lasting protection from rain, snow and mud to help to prevent rust and corrosion. SLIP Plate® is excellent to reduce wear and extend the operating life machinery.
 

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Thanks guys. I have had springs get rust between the leaves,so I will probably paint each leaf separate.

Slip Plate is also sold at the home of cornhead grease_John Deere.

John
 
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I'm from Superior Graphite and I came across this site using SLIP Plate for leaf springs. I did a TV spot on Truck U about couple of years based on alot the positive feedback on it for leaf spring applications. Here is the spot that might help explain what it is. Hope this helps! Thanks for supporting SLIP Plate!! :)

http://www.truckutv.com/?p=2652
 
How much Slip Plate for Front & Rear Springs- 36 Ford

Hi Guys/Gals,

Going to buy Slip Plate for my front & rear springs. I have no quess how much might it might take? Anyone have experience with quantity? How many quarts or a gallon? How many spray cans?
Thanks,
Bruce/CT
 
Bruce, If you're gonna do both sets of springs at the same time, a gallon would be good. A qt if one at a time. I disagree with the idea that paint on the contact area of the leaves is a good idea. I never saw paint of any kind that would tolerate sliding leaves against each other. Separate your leaves, use a dremel to remove the burrs at the ends of spring travel, clean them up and paint the edges only. Slather them up with Slip Plate and assemble. Forget about the zerk as it was never more than a sales gimmick anyway.
 
Surprised to see this thread back up. I got my spring painted. Used a combo method. Primered the spring leafs separately, applied slip plate.assembled spring and painted with the marine enamel and hardener that I am using for the suspension parts.

John
 

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