Topic: Door lock / Latch Mechanism: Springs painted?

[Angela]

Were the three springs inside the door latch mechanism originally bare steel or painted different colors?

Judging by unrestored examples, it looks (to me) like some springs may have been painted while others were not (or possibly I cannot tell because of rust).

I find yellow, white, red and green paint on some springs, but it doesn't seem to be consistent.... for every example I find with painted springs I find another which appears to have never been painted. I cannot find a picture of a restored latch mechanism showing the springs.

[jwc66k]

The individual component pieces were fabricated (stamped, holes punched, formed, etc) then plated. Date codes were part of the fabrication process. The springs by their very nature, were made of a tempered steel and not plated as the plating process would reduce the temper. The springs were probably made by another company as a sub-contract. Then everything was assembled including the springs, stamped together (deformed edges) and that was a completed sub-assembly. Other items like the bumpers, clips and retainers could have been installed next at this assembly level and shipped to the next process step or assembled on the line. Lubrication was applied somewhere in those steps as well. Those are types of details that we are seeking. No paint was involved.   
Jim

[Angela]

Thanks Jim! So I wonder why I find remnants of paint on some of the springs inside some of the spare door latch mechanisms I have. Perhaps someone tinkered with them in the past?

I also find it interesting that while most of the latch mechanisms appear to be plated clear zinc, some (not all) internal stamped pieces have a slight zinc dichromate appearance.... which perhaps lends itself to the statement you made about multiple venders and the incremental assembly process of these assemblies.

[Angela]

FYI, here's a pic of one of the original latch mechanisms I've used as a reference.... you can see the paint on the springs that I refer to above.

[carlite65]

the paint may have something to do with the tension of the spring.............just my 2 cents.

[J_Speegle]

Yes I've seen color coded latch springs. Likely used to help with the assembly at what ever sub contractor(s) was used to assemble them

[TLea]

I've never seen a 67-70 door latch that didnt have painted springs. Usually yellow, red and orange

[Ryan Miller]

Does anyone have a source for the circular spring - labeld red in the above posted photo?

I have been trying to locate one and a decent parts diagram showing how it went on.

Thanks,

[TLea]

The only place I've ever been able to get them is from another used latch