I'm going to be replacing the bushings/toe eliminator on the rear arms and while its out would like to paint the arms. I've got access to a sand/bead blaster so everything will be cleaned first but I don't know what kinda paint to use...

Any suggestions on paint type/brand that would be suitable to use on suspension components - ie underbody exposed to grime, rocks, etc.

Henrik
87TII

 

where are the toe elim. bushings? and how long do they take to install?

 

Get everything powdercoated. It'll last longer and you can just hose everything off and wipe it all down to clean it.

Brandon

 

Epoxy or powder-coat. Powder-coating is about the same price (generally) as painting. If you have the money for equipment, home powder-coating set-ups are available at the Eastwood Co. (great selection of GOOD quality, very handy tools that you can't get at the local parts store). Amazing selection of color, too.
By the way, if you do this yourself and are trying to paint aluminum, you need to sand (Scotchbrite pad) the aluminum or bead blast it and then wipe it down with a mineral spirits/laquer thinner/acetone and let it dry completely (just a minute or two, they evaporate pretty quick). You then have 12-15 minutes before a thin coating of corrosion forms on bare aluminum. It's not much, but it's enough to cause paint adhesion failure. Same thing goes for sealants/gaskets on aluminum parts.
And people wonder why that new gasket they put on started seeping so fast!

 

The A arms are already silver aluminum, so I'd clean them and clearcoat / clear powdercoat them

 

www.racingbeat.com sells em for $40 for the set of em. Probally take a few hours in the garage to install em.

 

I was thinking the other night (but forgot about it by the time I posted) about smoothing and polishing the aluminum suspension parts. I figure the front control arms would look really nice.

 

Thanks for the info guys - I'm going to look into the powder coating. As for the front arms, yes they clean up real nice, almost a shame to put them back in.

ric05: the bushings are not easy to install, you need a serious press to do it - I'm hoping the equip I've got at work can hanle it. http://www.mazdatrix.com/faq/rrsteer.htm

Henrik
87TII