Suspension parts can be painted. Even though most car owners don’t often paint their vehicles’ suspension, anyone can do it safely without damaging any components.
The main reason why people paint suspension parts is for aesthetic purposes. However, people also do it to prevent rust. Irrespective of your reasons for painting suspension parts, this article will address all issues surrounding such a project.
Let’s start with – What is the Best Paint for Suspension Parts?
The suspension of your car isn’t a typical paint job candidate. It’s why cars from the manufacturer usually come without any undercarriage coating.
However, some car owners feel the need to paint this part for the aforementioned reasons. If you have decided to paint your car’s suspension, you must get your hands on quality paint.
The ideal paint for a car’s suspension should be durable because these parts are located on the undercarriage, which is often exposed to a wide range of contaminants.
Regular car paints won’t last for very long on the suspension. They will either get chipped by rocks. Or, they will subdue to elements such as snow, dirt, and mud.
So, before embarking on such a project, you should get your hands on some quality paint. To help you narrow down your options, below is a list of some of the best paint for suspension parts.
1. POR-15
If your main goal is to prevent rust development and get a little bit of improvement in aesthetics while you are at it, POR-15 is an excellent product.
POR-15 can adhere well to your suspension parts. However, you must follow the correct application procedure, which you will find in the packaging.
If you want to get a better finish with POR-15, you can start by thinning it. Please note that certain car owners have had varying results with POR-15.
Therefore, you need to be careful so that the paint doesn’t chip off and leave the suspension parts exposed to rust.
Remember, POR-15 requires adequate surface preparation before applying it to the suspension. If you don’t perform thorough preparation, it may come off on its own after a while.
2. Rustoleum
The good old-fashioned Rustoleum can also be painted on suspension parts. For suspension parts, Rustoleum can offer a tough layer of protection.
If you live in areas that experience a lot of snow or rain, you should go for Rustoleum. It is easy to apply and available in all parts of the country.
A pro tip when spraying Rustoleum is to go with a metal primer first. The primer will offer an added layer of protection.
Even if a part of the Rustoleum chips off, the primer will provide protection as you wait to fix up the chipped Rustoleum. Rustoleum is an excellent option if you want to paint your suspension and you are on a budget.
3. Eastwood’s Chassis Paint
There is one product that most people often overlook when painting their undercarriages: the Eastwood Chassis paint.
Eastwood has got a bunch of paints that would look great on your car’s suspension. Even though they may not perform as well as POR-15 and Rustoleum, Eastwood’s paints are affordable and easy to use.
By saying that Eastwood’s chassis paint doesn’t perform better than Rustoleum or POR-15, we don’t mean that it will chip in two or three months.
This product can last for more than two years as long as you clean the undercarriage frequently and don’t drive in harsh environments. If you live on salty roads, you may want to go for something stronger.
4. Epoxy Primer
Another type of paint you can use on suspension parts is epoxy primer. Several car owners have used epoxy on suspension parts, which has held up pretty well.
If the above options don’t seem ideal, you can always buy an epoxy primer and layer it over the suspension. Before spraying epoxy, you should sandblast any rusty components and clean the surface thoroughly.
After spraying the primer, make sure to follow up with some epoxy paint. The paint must be compatible with the primer so that you don’t run into adhesion issues.
What about Powder Coating the Suspension?
If you plan on painting your car’s suspension, you will come across recommendations about powder coating it. Unlike paint, a powder coat is way more durable, and it can adhere to suspension parts for much longer.
Powder coating is a one-time job. You won’t have to touch up worn-out paint time after time. Powder coating costs more than painting.
And if you were to do it yourself, you would spend a lot of time compared to painting. If it’s a daily drive, you can paint it. However, powder coating is more effective for show cars.
How to Paint Suspension Parts?
Now that you know that it’s possible to paint over suspension parts, the next thing is to get the work done. Painting suspension parts will depend on the product you are using.
However, we will go through a brief overview of the process so that you can have an idea of how to get it done.
Step 1 – Remove Any Old Paint
If the suspension parts on your car are bare metal and have no paint on them, you can skip to the second step. However, if there is some paint or coating, it needs to come off before you can put anything else on top.
To remove old paint, you can use a paint thinner or stripper. If there are some stubborn paints, you can always use sandpaper or steel wool. Be careful not to damage the parts.
Step 2 – Clean the Surface You Want to Paint
You can always use regular car wash shampoo, but you should use something more robust since the undercarriage is often very dirty. We recommend mineral spirits because it can cut through any dirt or gunk buildup.
Make sure that the suspension parts are dry before painting them. When you paint directly, you will have adhesion issues or worse. You may lock in moisture, and rust can develop on the inside.
Step 3 – Apply Your Preferred Paint
You would have settled on a type of paint to use on the suspension parts by this step. The first thing to do should be to check the packaging for instructions.
Each will have its application process, whether Rustoleum, POR-15, or Eastwood’s chassis paint. Make sure that you check and follow the instructions provided. From there, you should let the paint cure before taking the car out for a ride.
Should I Clean the Suspension Parts Before Painting?
Before embarking on any painting job, the suspension should be cleaned thoroughly. By cleaning, we are referring to the exterior surfaces.
The thing about paint is that it doesn’t hold on to dirty or contaminated surfaces. Things such as grease, dirt, and mud stains can prevent paint from adhering to the suspension parts.
Make time to clean the undercarriage thoroughly. If you don’t have the time, you can take the car for a professional undercarriage cleaning. This will ensure better adhesion of paint.
What Color Should I Paint My Suspension?
Black is the most common color painted on car suspension parts. However, car owners have the freedom to choose whichever color pleases them. You can go with a neutral color such as black for daily drives.
However, if you are painting the suspension parts of a show car, you can be creative and go with a showy color that attracts everyone’s attention. When it comes to the color of paint, that is a personal preference.
Should I Hire an Expert to Paint My Suspension?
You can also consider hiring someone to paint the suspension parts like a regular paint job. Suspension parts are a bit complicated to paint over, so you may run into a few hiccups if you have no experience or knowledge.
A professional detailer can paint your suspension for a certain fee. The overall cost will be more compared to that of doing it yourself.
However, with the help of an expert, you are assured of a decent finish. If you don’t have the time or doubt your ability, you can always pay someone to paint the suspension.
Can You Paint Over Rusty Suspension?
There are products such as Rustoleum and POR-15 that can be applied directly over rusted metal to deal with corrosion.
However, to ensure there is no rust on the metallic suspension parts, it’s advisable to treat the corrosion first. Sandblasting is an excellent rust removal method. You can do this first and then paint over the rusty suspensions.
Can I Use Plasti Dip on Suspension Parts?
Of late, a coating has become very popular in the auto industry, and that’s plasti dip. This rubber coating can be applied on any car surface, including suspension parts.
Plasti dip is very easy to use. It’s cheap and can be found in a wide range of stores. However, plasti dip peels very easily.
Considering that it’s the suspension parts we are talking about, a plasti dip coating can be peeled by road debris. Therefore, it won’t last for very long.