As a part of the suspension restoration/modification of my 78 F-250 4X2, I will be cleaning up the existing parts and installing lowering and sway bar kits. I plan to blast and repaint all these parts and want to use a match for the original paint. Does anyone out there have the specs for the Ford suspension paint for this period truck? Or even a good description of the color, sheen, etc?

 

Check these guys down here...

 

it would just be gloss black wouldnt it?

 

Mine has no remaining paint and I don't have one around with paint as a reference. So, I need input from someone with factory paint on their suspension components to describe it or for someone to give me a paint code or chromaticity coordinates. I am trying to keep the visible parts true to factory specs for the restoration part.

 

Careful blasting the leaf springs. Word on the street is that you can take some of the temper out of them making them. . .less "springy"

 

Thanks for the caution, BUT sandblasting acts somewhat like shot peening rather than further tempering (weakening) of the heat treated springs. Shot peening is often used on valve springs to reduce the chance of fatigue cracks. The surface cold work will actually strengthen this thin surface layer. Uneven heavy sandblasting can warp springs just as it causes wrinkling in sheetmetal. Just exactly like the damage I did to the replacement fender on one of my cars.