Should I paint or Coat Au Trailing Arms

[rwest]

Hi,

I'm working on a pretty complete suspension overhaul and have removed and cleaned up the aluminum trailing arms. I'm wondering if they need to have some sort of protective coating re-applied. It appears like they may have had an undercoating of some sort on them originally. Can anyone tell me what they had from the factory or what is recommended?

Thanks, Rutager

[Flieger]

They don't need anything. Aluminum forms a thin oxide layer immediately after eposure to air. This oxide layer is very hard and not very permiable and prevents further oxidation of the underlying metal. Same with Titanium and the Chrome in Stainless Steel.

[rwest]

Thanks for the information, I'll put them in "naked!" (I'll wear pants though!)

-Rutager

[Zeke]

Thy probably had Tectyl. Slight golden cast to the finish.