Painting shock springs?

[cr125_king]

I just painted the frame on my 96'CR250 , a Metalic color. It has all black plastics. So while it's all apart right now i want to change the color of the rear shock spring. It is yellow and doesn't go with anything on the bike now. My first question is the sring flexes, so what type of paint?. I painted my dads old WR250 Spring with some PJ1 paint and it seemed to hold up. Also what color do you think i should go on the color of the spring?

 

[Perk]

Paint, is one of my areas of expertise, but this is a tough one. It's going to have to flex, but anything that flexes will give in easily to flying debris. Paints that will stand up to the debris generally do not have any flex to them. It's been a while, but I remember a type of elastomeric roof coating that was tough as nails, but also very pliable. Any decent paint store should carry this stuff, but it's very expensive and you will probably only be able to find it in gallons. Maybe quarts. Good luck.

 

[smb_racing]

it is my understanding that shock springs have a plastic type coating similar to that used on hand tools. You could find this stuff in different colors, red seems to be a favorite. Don't know about durability though either (seems to work well on tools?)

 

[MikeT]

Wait a minute... My friend used to race RC cars and the bodies were basically just thin clear plastic that was painted. The plastic could take a hit and be popped back out as these things take a beating. They would paint on the inside of the plastic shell with a paint that had flex in it.

I would check out an RC car shop and they should have a whole range of colors for what ever you decide.

 

[Jeepboy]

The key to having the paint not crack on an RC car body is a very light coat of paint. Too many coats and the paint would crack easily.

 

[CanadianRidr]

Jeep I always paint my rc bodies with 3 coats of paint, I go once very lightly then wait for half hour then repeat twice, but this paint is made for the plastic rc bodies it doesn't really stick well to anything else,
But you are correct and good hit and the paint shatters.

 

[XRpredator]

We painted the spring on my brother's '94 YZ250 purple with regular automotive paint (even a clear coat), and it suffered no ill effects. I don't think you have to deal with a flex agent on it so much as you would a plastic piece, so any bomb can (PJ1, Krylon, etc.) should work.

 

[MikeT]

So you guys don't think it will stick to an already painted spring? I am betting if he preps the surface with some prepsol it will stick fine. What do you think?

 

[XRpredator]

At the very least, take a Scotch-Brite to it and scuff it real good. Then hit it with the primer, then paint. follow all the directions as far as dry time, etc, then you should be set.

 

[cr125_king]

I think i'll spray bomb it. I'm still deciding on the color. I sprayed my Frame the proper way, with my air compresser and a gun, but the spray bomb will have to due for the spring. Thanx for the info guys:) . I'll put a pict up of the before and after look of my bike when it's finished.

 

[Milquetoast]

cr125king, the Prepsol you mentioned is not for preparing the surface just before painting. Everyone thinks it is but read the directions, all the ones I've found say "not for final prep before painting, only for cleaning paint surface before doing body work!"

Also, if the paint doesn't work I would try "Plasti-Dip" which is what someone was trying to say before, the stuff on hand tool handles. Good stuff.

 

[cr125_king]

Milquetoast, What???. I never mentioned anything about prepsol.I scuffed my spring with a green pad(i removed all the shine, so the new paint will stick). Then i use accetone to clean it before painting it. Oh ya i went with a chrome like color. It's plasti cote. I went down to the automotive shop, that my uncle works at today(My uncle is a professional body man , and he told me this stuff should work well.):)

 

[MikeT]

cr125, send us pics and tell us how it holds up.

MikeT

BTW, I mentioned the prepsol. I never have had any bad results using it just after the surface was sanded and just before paint was applied. Although I am not a professional bodyman.