Spray Paint

I am looking to paint a pair of front steel uprights. Normally I would nickel plate them, but these are RF 84 ones so they use the blasted threaded keeper to hold the bearing in - not an easy way to clean the plating off the threads after plating.

I used to use a zinc-heavy product that could make metal look like cast iron or cast aluminum depending on which can you used (name escapes me now, AllCast maybe?) but my most recent can has had all the good chemicals taken out by the manufacturer - now brake clean just rips the paint off the metal.

Does anyone have any (tested) recommendations for a paint that can stand up to brake fluid and brake cleaner?

thanks,
bt

Plasti-dip? Powder coating works good too but probably too expensive for a couple uprights,

Just use California-compliant brake cleaner and your paint-ripping problems are over...:rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by TimH

Just use California-compliant brake cleaner and your paint-ripping problems are over...:rolleyes:

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Yeah, that stuff will kill mosquitoes. But the uprights will still be dirty :)

bt

The platers can coat the threads for you so that they don't get plated.You just have to ask them to do so.

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Originally Posted by R. Pare

The platers can coat the threads for you so that they don't get plated.You just have to ask them to do so.

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The other trick is to thread something into the hole if possible. Junk rod ends are excellent for that purpose on suspension parts. Not sure if the threaded keeper could be threaded into the upright?

I’ve had good experiences with ARVOE engine enamel 582 cast iron gray but haven’t tested it with good brake cleaner.
ok with mineral spirits followed with Walmart purple cleaner

Agreed on having the plater mask the threads and getting it coated.

For paint, I would try Steel-It https://steel-it.com/products/high-t...istant-aerosol

Look into Cerakote. Some of those coatings are reallllly durable, easily taking chemicals & heat.

https://www.cerakote.com/resources/testing

https://www.cerakote.com/shop/cerakote-coating

Quote:

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Originally Posted by R. Pare

The platers can coat the threads for you so that they don't get plated.You just have to ask them to do so.

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I didn't know that - thank you!
bt

We used to stick a round piece of dense foam into our steel upright bearing bores to keep the bores from being plated. Worked great.

Pre-coordinate the following approach with your plating shop --

-thoroughly de-grease the uprights;
-apply the paint to only the areas you want un-plated (it will hold up in the water-based (electroless, I hope?) nickel plating bath);
-get them plated;
-use brake cleaner to remove the paint from the threads.
==> Voila!:)