Paint/Powdercoat Struts

[North Coast Cab]

On my to do list is a front suspension R&R including a bunch of painting and powdercoating. So I have Boge struts with Bilsetin Sport inserts. What color should I do the struts. Yellow or green? And which shade or color should I use.

John

[Evans, Marv]

John:
Since nothing much bothers the strut housings, I would paint them. I like the John Deere green that comes on the Bilstein struts. Thought I'd PM you, since the post had gotten to the second page.

[lateapex911]

I powder coated mine...it was a fun project and they came out pretty well. Mine are Konis so I duplicated the stock Koni red. I think Boge green is your choice. There is a company that sells about 100 different shades, so matching the original color shouldn't be too tough.

here's a shot of them in the actual process of spraying and baking, and on the car.

Hey John,
Its a great project and really makes the car look great. At least from the owners prospective. I powdercoated everything that is black, bead blasted the aluminium, and had my spindles raised then they were painted John Deere green. Its close enough for me. I think that powdercoating is much better than paint as paint chips easily. Ask Jack Olsen about that one. If its in your budget try and get new parts so you dont have to change them later. Ball joints, tie rod ends, bushings, bearings, etc...

Anyway, here are a few shots of mine that I hope will inspire you. Good luck!

[jim72911t]

Joe, you really need to quit showing off!

Beautiful.

[Wavey]

Hi John. Here are a few pics of my stuff before installation. I'm using Bilstein Heavy Duty (green) in the struts with Sports (yellow) on the rear. Since I wanted to paint the struts and I didn't want two different colors of shocks, I painted the strut housings and the top shock covers to match the Sports. We mixed up a close match in the shop and sprayed them with a catalyzed, matte-finish epoxy. But there are a lot of very close yellows available in spray cans at the farm/tractor supply stores too.

I couldn't resist making some Bilstein vinyl stickers just so everything looks more or less the same front & rear.

[randywebb]

Or you can be a deviant....

[Glasgow 911SC]

When you remove the front struts (Boge) is there anything that (in theory) can't be reused, or is it inevitable that some parts will be damaged? I guess it's in my best interest to replace everything I can finances permitting!?

[DW SD]

Originally posted by Glasgow 911SC
When you remove the front struts (Boge) is there anything that (in theory) can't be reused, or is it inevitable that some parts will be damaged? I guess it's in my best interest to replace everything I can finances permitting!?

You shouldn 't need to replace anything on the struts, as long as they are not bent. New or used would be identical if not bent. Just repaint / refinish and run them. New would waste serious $$$.

If you do powder coat, depending upon temperature, you may need to replace a rubber seal under the sleeve which is installed on the spindle (part of the strut). PET diagrams will show you where the rubber seal is. It is a $2 part or less. Simple rubber o-ring.

Doug

[North Coast Cab]

Thanks for the input. I have Bilsteibn Sports so I guess I'll powdercoat the struts green. Everything else will be new so I'll have a full R&R as well as a nice looking front end.

John

Originally posted by jim72911t
Joe, you really need to quit showing off!

Beautiful.

I know. I know.


John,
Good choice and post some pics when you are done. BTW, what is your acr going to be used for. There are some simple mods that you can do to reinforce the front end as well as adding some more cooling to your brakes.

[North Coast Cab]

Joseph,
I consider my car a "fun" car right now, but the slope is calling my name. I ran a bunch of DE's this year including HPDE 4 with Nasa which has open passing. I'm think I'm going to run their TT series next year and then angle for GTS Challenge GTS2. I've already done a full suspension R&R, but I need to do ball joints and I figure while I'm in their I'll make things look nice like I should have in the first place.
I've got Bilstien Sports, 22/30 t-bars, late Carrera sways (though I'll be dumping those for a set of TRG adjustables), solid rear engine mounts, and a few other tricks. Let me know what you have in mind.

John

[LM3929]

can anyone tell me what the part number of the Bilstein struts shock seal (at the top of the tube) is, its cost or where I can get two.

why isn't it shown anywhere?

Thanks Lorne

[jpahemi]

OK guys what's the real color of the Bilstein RSR raised spindles: yellow or green???? I've seen both; the yellow ones have the blue Bilstein band around the bottom and the green don't.
I welded a brake line tab on mine but couldn't find the correct green, so I guessed; turns out the green needs a hint more yellow (as compared to Joe's).
j.p.