painting ORD's Crossover Steering Parts

[MuddinManny]

Hey Y'all,

I have a question. I want to paint ORD's Crossover steering parts, i.e., lift block, steering arm, drag link, and the HD Tie Rod I bought. However, they are all smooth steel, not much for paint to bite into. Is there anything I need to do special to these parts, or can I go spray happy with the Rustoleum?

Thanks,

Manny

 

[86dieselburb]

Funny you should ask this. As I just installed mine this weekend. I have first hand knowledge. If your gonna paint it, scuff up the parts with some 120 grit. But be forewarned you will scratch the paint putting the xcross over stuff on.

If I had to do again, I'd wait and paint after you get it all hooked up.

 

[MuddinManny]

Funny you should ask this. As I just installed mine this weekend. I have first hand knowledge. If your gonna paint it, scuff up the parts with some 120 grit. But be forewarned you will scratch the paint putting the xcross over stuff on.

If I had to do again, I'd wait and paint after you get it all hooked up.

Thank you very much! That's just what I needed to hear! Not only will I wait for it to be installed. I'll wait to get it back from the alignment shop! Cool beans!

Thanks!

Will a regular wire wheel work, like the type used for cleaning an axle, or does it need to be done by hand with the 120?

Manny

 

[muddybuddy]

Funny you should ask this. As I just installed mine this weekend. I have first hand knowledge. If your gonna paint it, scuff up the parts with some 120 grit. But be forewarned you will scratch the paint putting the xcross over stuff on.

If I had to do again, I'd wait and paint after you get it all hooked up.

yep same thing happened to me

 

[88k5blazin]

when i put all my stuff on i just painted it just the way it came and have not had a problem with it chipping or peeling but i'm sure sanding it a little wouldn't hurt either

 

[gmc4cw]

unless its a show rig you don't need to do any prep before paint. just wipe it clean. Brand new steel is the best surface to paint over. I painted mine in the truck only because I am impatient and couldn't wait to get it on the truck.

 

[Hossbaby50]

Just don't paint the bottom of the steering arms were they touch the knuckles, and that the top of the knuckles that touch the steering arm are not painted. You want a bare metal on metal contact surface with no paint, grease, lube, etc. Use brake cleaner to get them totally clean when you go to mount the steering arm.

Harley

 

[jekbrown]

sand with 120, prime it with good auto primer... install everything... wipe it all down just in case it got some grease on the primer or something... and THEN rattle can paint it the color you want.

j

 

[MuddinManny]

Hey Y'all,

Thanks so much. I hear everyone! This site is awesome! Y'all are helpin' me build my dream truck. Can't wait to show her off!

Manny

 

[mtn. burb]

when i put all my stuff on i just painted it just the way it came and have not had a problem with it chipping or peeling but i'm sure sanding it a little wouldn't hurt either

Same with me. Just cleaned it, painted, installed. No problems. Just hit the 1.5" tierod with a fresh coat yesterday after 2 years of abuse.

You'll love it. My truck turns on a dime. Used to be I was breaking drivers side spring pack bolts, took a football field to do a U-turn. Now it turns a radius with 39.5's like my wife's 2WD Suburban.

 

[ryoken]

I'm gonna go a little different direction here....

for quickest, longest lasting results without getting crazy, I'd just put a few piss coats of zinc chromate on everything, then rattlecan to your hearts content... It's self-etching primer and will make the parts sooooo much more durable than just blasting em with paint.. 1 can'd probably do all your parts easy...

 

[MNorby]

mine were painted blue and now orange in this rig. Originally I just painted the bare metal. This time to change color I ran over it with some emery cloth or something wiped the dust off and rattled. you can always touch up to