Topic: Coil Spring Finish

[CharlesTurner]

Looks like black over the paint markings?  If so, would suspect a previous wheel well 'black out' or freshening up.

[ChrisV289]

I zoomed in on this pic. That is the gray stripe.

[J_Speegle]

I zoomed in on this pic. That is the gray stripe.

I see the finish I think your referring. That is the finish that I'm interested in seeing if it lifts/bubbles when treated.

haven't gotten it to in the past  through many look like they were "black"

[ChrisV289]

Hope this helps.

[J_Speegle]

Hope this helps.

Thanks Chris - Judging rules have allowed for painted front springs in addition to the bare darkened steel for years. I've just not been able to find any. Your the first to do the little test and get a result to what appears to be a painted base surface. Not sure why they were painted when others were not. Whole subject started in the 80's when the guy that laid out the plant at San Jose was drawing out the layout for a friend and designated a spot on the "map" as to where the front coil springs would have been and described it as "this is where the phosphated coil springs were stored" which of course caught our attention as there was no reason for him to, without being prompted, to offer the finish. We always figured that to him "phosphated" meant a dark bare steel which he confirmed that its just what they looked like and we left at that and moved on with other details


Service replacements were often painted but they were expected to spend months or years on shelves and in storage

[Bob Gaines]

Hope this helps.

Strange that it would be light shaded shinny steel instead of typical darker heat treated spring steel under the paint. That doesn't make sense .That would indicate to me that something else was done (blasted or sanded) to the coil spring prior to painting. That is just me others may think differently.

[CharlesTurner]

Another possibility is they are service replacement springs.

[jwc66k]

Another possibility is they are service replacement springs.

Not including body work for an accident, what other reason can you think of?
Jim

[CharlesTurner]

Not including body work for an accident, what other reason can you think of?
Jim

It's a wear item depending on where the car was used.  Ever seen coil spring 'helpers'?  Not all cars are lucky enough to be in a western climate.

[J_Speegle]

Not including body work for an accident, what other reason can you think of?
Jim

Could see an owner being sold on "you need new springs" as a "fix" for many things. Not always the correct reason but a reason

At this point, if we're going to maintain the same level of confirmation as in other areas we've got to keep looking and find some more unrestored cars with the same to go the next step.  Best to focus, if possible, around the sane time and plant to see if that would indicate a shipment or change (temporary or longer) in the supplier or process

[Bob Gaines]

Could see an owner being sold on "you need new springs" as a "fix" for many things. Not always the correct reason but a reason

I have come across a lot of mis informed restoration shops and individual owners that assume that front coil and rear leaf springs need to be replaced during a restoration.