Suspension paint color?

[Squatch]

The question is simple: Has anyone ever painted their suspension/undercarriage parts anything other than black? If so, what color? Got any pics?
I'm not expecting anyone has done red, or fluorescent yellow, but how 'bout a shade of gray, olive green (especially on truly vintage Jeeps), or some other understated hue. Just curious to see if anyone has dared to be different along those lines.

 

[Fouledplugs]

The question is simple: Has anyone ever painted their suspension/undercarriage parts anything other than black? If so, what color? Got any pics?
I'm not expecting anyone has done red, or fluorescent yellow, but how 'bout a shade of gray, olive green (especially on truly vintage Jeeps), or some other understated hue. Just curious to see if anyone has dared to be different along those lines.

This is a slippery slope

 

[CodaMan]

This is a slippery slope

Haha

Whatever color is choosen, it needs to compliment the under body running lights, halos, brake calipers, skid plates and shock boots

 

[ohiopatriot]

These guys sell JK lifts in your choice of 18 colors.

https://steinjager.com/shop/Lift-Kit-2007-2017-4-Inch-Neon-Green-J0044933

You know you want a JKU now. :risas3:

 

[ohiopatriot]

 

[Boinked]

View attachment 53823

Im sorry but the sway bar links are a deal breaker. I want them pink too.

 

[2006TJ1]

Im sorry but the sway bar links are a deal breaker. I want them pink too.

Add another $30 to get them powder coated pink, and you will look like a pimp rolling through the parking lot at the mall!

 

[Fouledplugs]

I know youre a fan of chrome. Old school chrome coming right up.

 

[Boinked]

I know youre a fan of chrome. Old school chrome coming right up.

View attachment 53826

That makes me cry......... i feel bad for the guy who has to polish that.

 

[Squatch]

Damn! You guys are ruthless! LOL

I painted my rear OEM control arms "Dark Machine Gray", and will do the sway bar the same, as well as the Dana 44 diff cover. Same up front. It's more of a battleship gray, if you ask me, but I like it. I just wanted something that breaks up all that black, and proves that I've been under there!
The axles are gloss black (well, the rear is, thus far). I might do the steering pieces in the gray, as well. This is, of course, only because I can't afford the chrome, and the hot pink powder coating would clash with my Moss Green body panels...

 

[CodaMan]

Damn! You guys are ruthless! LOL

I painted my rear OEM control arms "Dark Machine Gray", and will do the sway bar the same, as well as the Dana 44 diff cover. Same up front. It's more of a battleship gray, if you ask me, but I like it. I just wanted something that breaks up all that black, and proves that I've been under there!
The axles are gloss black (well, the rear is, thus far). I might do the steering pieces in the gray, as well. This is, of course, only because I can't afford the chrome, and the hot pink powder coating would clash with my Moss Green body panels...

We just had to give you a hard time, you deserve that, but all kidding aside, the gray and black would look good together.

 

[Fouledplugs]

We just had to give you a hard time, you deserve that, but all kidding aside, the gray and black would look good together.

If we are joking with you @Squatch it just means we like ya.

 

[Boinked]

Damn! You guys are ruthless! LOL

I painted my rear OEM control arms "Dark Machine Gray", and will do the sway bar the same, as well as the Dana 44 diff cover. Same up front. It's more of a battleship gray, if you ask me, but I like it. I just wanted something that breaks up all that black, and proves that I've been under there!
The axles are gloss black (well, the rear is, thus far). I might do the steering pieces in the gray, as well. This is, of course, only because I can't afford the chrome, and the hot pink powder coating would clash with my Moss Green body panels...

I prefer mine black. That way the grease does show.

 

[Squatch]

We just had to give you a hard time, you deserve that, but all kidding aside, the gray and black would look good together.

I knew when I started the thread that there was the potential for an "Oh, s*#t, are you kidding me?" reaction. But it's not that far of a stretch, if you really think about it. Aftermarket control arms come in a variety of colors, as do shocks. I just figured that seeing how I already installed the new CA bushings, and the CAs needed to be painted, anyways, why not do something a little (tastefully) different? At one point, I considered painting the axles gray, but I ruled that out as just a bit too much. If the gray had been a little darker, however, I might very well have proceeded with that notion.

 

[Squatch]

I prefer mine black. That way the grease does show.

Believe me, I kept thinking about that very issue!

 

[Boinked]

I think i have some B-52 grey kits. As least i think that is the grey.

 

[BlueRidge304]

@Squatch this is actually a very interesting topic. Done right, it could be an inexpensive way to get a cool understated look to the underside. Is this a similar color to what you used?

What kind of prep did you have to do on the pieces that you've completed so far? What are your initial impressions?

I've thought about doing this on some of the suspension parts under mine, using a graphite/grey color similar to what the factory used on the '04 Rocky Mountain edition fender flares.

 

[Squatch]

@Squatch this is actually a very interesting topic. Done right, it could be an inexpensive way to get a cool understated look to the underside. Is this a similar color to what you used?

View attachment 53837

What kind of prep did you have to do on the pieces that you've completed so far? What are your initial impressions?

I've thought about doing this on some of the suspension parts under mine, using a graphite/grey color similar to what the factory used on the '04 Rocky Mountain edition fender flares.

Same brand and type ("Professional", for whatever that's worth). I considered the darker graphite, but none of the local stores carried it. I did paint an entire AMC 360 V8 with the graphite once, and it looked incredible!

I degreased everything, lightly sanded the original paint on the control arms (figured that paint had good bite, or it wouldn't still be there), wiped everything down with mineral spirits, shot it with self-etching primer, then the top coat. I will say this: It is imperative that you follow the instructions on the can to the letter! I didn't, initially, trying to put a second topcoat on after a couple of hours. The paint lifted, and I had to start over. Oops! Additional coats within an hour of the first coat, or after 48 hours, which is what I now do. I want that stuff cured! I'm pleased with the results. Once it's cured, it has a nice, hard finish.

 

[KCsTJ]

My springs and shocks are white on my white 97, it was something a P.O. did.

 

[Squatch]

My springs and shocks are white on my white 97, it was something a P.O. did.

I wonder if painted springs have an additive added to the paint for elasticity/flexibility. Obviously, you wouldn't be doing so with rattle-can paint, but when using a paint gun, for instance. It seems like a hardened/cured paint would crack as the springs compressed and relaxed. I wonder...