Skip to main content
Topic: Keeping new front end components from rusting (Read 2598 times) previous topic - next topic

Keeping new front end components from rusting

I am in the process of tearing apart the frontend of my 88 XR-7 and noticed my 2 year old TRW outer tierods are rustier than anything else on the car! 

I googled to see if this is common with new parts nowadays and have seen where even Moog stuff is even rusting prematurely. 

I know the stuff that Ford installed is preserved with something I would have assumed TRW and Moog would have at least done the same thing, apparantly not.

I guess my question is what can be done to new parts such as ball joints, inner and outer tierods, control arms, brake calipers, etc to keep them from rusting?  I would like to keep the natural color of the parts, can a clear acrylic enamel spray paint work? For the calipers should it be a high temperature clearcoat?

Would I just need to wipe down with acetone to prep for paint?

Thank you!
Tim

Keeping new front end components from rusting

Reply #1
Paint the parts that is what i do!!

Here is a set of my C5 Z06  brakes i am installing. Blasted and painted with PPG waterborn and baked.

I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!

Keeping new front end components from rusting

Reply #2
Por 15 works great for stuff like that, but I don't think you can get it in clear. Toms way is good, but a little time consuming for small parts like ball joints an ends if there already on the car.
Old Grey Cat to this.88 Cat, 5.0 HO, CW mounts, mass air, CI custom cam, afr165's, Tmoss worked cobra intake, BBK shorty's,off road h pipe, magnaflow ex. T-5,spec stage 2 clutch, 8.8 373 TC trac loc, che ajustables with bullits on the rear. 11" brakes up front. +

Keeping new front end components from rusting

Reply #3
Quote from: TOM Renzo;383612
Paint the parts that is what i do!!

Here is a set of my C5 Z06  brakes i am installing. Blasted and painted with PPG waterborn and baked.


Don't let Vinnie see that, That looks like it would belong on his ride.
Old Grey Cat to this.88 Cat, 5.0 HO, CW mounts, mass air, CI custom cam, afr165's, Tmoss worked cobra intake, BBK shorty's,off road h pipe, magnaflow ex. T-5,spec stage 2 clutch, 8.8 373 TC trac loc, che ajustables with bullits on the rear. 11" brakes up front. +

Keeping new front end components from rusting

Reply #4
Quote from: Kitz Kat;383614
Don't let Vinnie see that, That looks like it would belong on his ride.

:rollin::cool:

Tom, how is that applied? Is it something you have to mix, or does it come ready to use?
I'm going to start tearing mine apart soon and paint every piece that can be unbolted...and most that can't. Looking for something that's fairly easy to use, and durable..lol
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

Keeping new front end components from rusting

Reply #5
Painting is the way to go.... aren't the ford front end parts black to start with anyway
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
[/COLOR]
5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
Join us on Facebook

Keeping new front end components from rusting

Reply #6
Quote from: daminc;383631
Painting is the way to go.... aren't the ford front end parts black to start with anyway

 
I was thinking of painting the new ones, I have some black "chassis saver" could that be brushed on then maybe spray with clear acrylic enamel?

Keeping new front end components from rusting

Reply #7
I use the duplicolor wheel clear coat to preserve that new part look without changing the color. Its very durable.

turbo charged 94 Cobra engine/440cc injectors/megasquirt /5 speed swapped (T5)/maxbox upper intake/70mm PP throttle body/AJE coilovers/2003 Mustang control arms/S.T. sway bars/ES rear control arm bushings/11" brake conversion/manual rack conversion/8.8 TC rear with rear discs and a welded diff/3.73 gears/PLX wideband/199mph speedometer/Aeromotive FPR/CNC hydraulic hand brake/cobra R wheels/....ect.

Keeping new front end components from rusting

Reply #8
i do believe the OEM ford parts were black, but i can't be held to that statement as 99% of mine are always covered in gunk of some sort.. i'd use VHT 'engine enamel' clear , as it's usually more durable than duplicolor engine paint/clear.. you could also use clear that's meant for calipers, as it's meant to hold up to some heat, too
ShadowMSC.com < < Still Under Construction

R.I.P. 'Zump' 8/29/86 - 11/11/11
3- 87 TC's / 1 really mean 83 Capri RS / 94 Sonoma SAS Project on 37x12.50 TSL Radials / 88 S10 that's LITERALLY cut to pieces / 84 F150 SAS, 351M, 39.5 TSL's / 85 Toyota regular cab, 22R 5spd, 3/4" drop, my little junkyard save/daily driver

Keeping new front end components from rusting

Reply #9
Will engine enamel or caliper enamel cure without the heat?  I have read some people will bake engine parts or components to cure the ceramic in the paint. I will not be installing them rightaway after painting so will this be enough to cure the paint?  I painted my 11" rotor spindles with black engine paint a year or so ago and am still waiting to install them, so this question can apply to those also.

Keeping new front end components from rusting

Reply #10
Quote from: ThunderbirdSport302;383615
:rollin::cool:

Tom, how is that applied? Is it something you have to mix, or does it come ready to use?
I'm going to start tearing mine apart soon and paint every piece that can be unbolted...and most that can't. Looking for something that's fairly easy to use, and durable..lol


JR painted it and all the other front end parts. For the A Frames we bead blast them and use POR 15. But that Caliper is PPG WATERBORN engine bright. JR says it wont peal or discolor.

I am trying to OUT DO VINNY. I dont think i can.

Here is a lower control arm shot with POR15

I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!

Keeping new front end components from rusting

Reply #11
Most of everything under my car has been painted with black zero-rust.
It has a nice satin finish. My entire engine bay has a coat of that under the black urethane finish coat
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
[/COLOR]
5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
Join us on Facebook

Keeping new front end components from rusting

Reply #12
Quote from: TOM Renzo;383842
Here is a lower control arm shot with POR15


how well does it spray? i've only ever brushed it on, but it's been years since i've used any
ShadowMSC.com < < Still Under Construction

R.I.P. 'Zump' 8/29/86 - 11/11/11
3- 87 TC's / 1 really mean 83 Capri RS / 94 Sonoma SAS Project on 37x12.50 TSL Radials / 88 S10 that's LITERALLY cut to pieces / 84 F150 SAS, 351M, 39.5 TSL's / 85 Toyota regular cab, 22R 5spd, 3/4" drop, my little junkyard save/daily driver

Keeping new front end components from rusting

Reply #13
If you want to keep natural parts from rusting, check out Sharkhide, or Boeshield T9.
tbirdregistry.com
26480
27373

 

Keeping new front end components from rusting

Reply #14
The easy way is to only drive the car when it's nice and sunny outside. No driving in rain, snow, or when the roads have salt on them. That's what I do. It works like a charm ;).
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.