Painting the swing arm.

[Guest]

I am painting my swingarm since I have it off.

I sand blasted it and removed the majority of paint. You can see in the picture below there is still light rust in areas.



I was planning to soak in Evapo- rust to remove the rust.
Then clean it and paint it.

Several questions:
What would you use to clean it before you paint? Considered brake cleaner; washing with something like purple power -rinsing- and drying with heat; or may be mineral spirits?

I will probably need to heat it to get the bearings in. I assume there should be some paint where the bearing goes before I put them in. Should I paint the inside of the tube; heat ; and insert the bearing (after the paint is dry of course). Then finish painting the exterior? Or just paint the whole thing and insert bearing after. Repainting exterior if needed.

 

[Kiwi Canuck]

googles, to clean a part prior to paint, I use a combination of what I have on hand, hot soapy water and a hot rinse followed by compressed air dry and then heat gun and then mineral spirits.

Do not paint the inside of the tube.

No need to heat the swingarm to install the bearings, they are a light press fit.

Don't forget to reinstall the spacer between the bearings.

I would use a wire wheel to remove the rust, or you could use Evapo Rust if you already have some.

Heat is good to dry the part after cleaning or put it in the sun. (all of the above methods to clean the part work)

Install bearings after the paint goes on, use a plug or carefully mask off the opening to keep overspray out of the tube. (you could lightly sand the inside if any gets in there during painting)

I use VHT paints for my GS's, Chassis and Roll Bar, either satin or gloss finish, both are awesome and the gloss is very close to stock.

Depending on how nice the swing arm finish is, will determine which finish I would use, gloss if it's perfect or satin for all others.

I have resprayed with satin over top of gloss, as long as you follow the manufacturers direction regarding time between coats it works well and they still look awesome.

http://www.vhtpaint.com/high-heat/vht-roll-bar-chassis-paint

This product can be sprayed directly on bare metal, but if you have a rough surface from sand blasting you may want to use one of the VHT primers to build up the surface a little before the final paint.

If you have not done much spay painting before, here's a tip, heat the can up in warm water or leave in the sun for 30 mins prior to painting, apply 2 very light coats within 5-10 mins each then a heavier wet coat as your final coat.

Keep the can vertical, so hanging the part works better for a nice finish, so you can spin it around etc while painting.

Good luck.

David.

 

[cowboyup3371]

Don?t heat the swingarm but do throw the bearings in the freezer. When they are good and frozen immediately stick them into the swingarm (try not to give them much time to thaw). Be sure to use a block of wood flat against the end of the bearing as a persuasion tool and drive them in straight.

 

[Guest]

Appreciate the tips. I was planning on using VHT pain so we are on same page there.

 

[Guest]

Here is the picture of finished product.



It has been very humid this summer in PA. I had a lot of trouble with flash rust so I used rustoleum rust converter before I covered with VHT epoxy paint.

Pleased with finish but should have sanded more of it with 320 grit. The outside of the tube where the bearing fits feels rough.

I also forgot to plug ends of tube so had to sand overspray before I put bearings in.
As you can see, I opted to use a threaded rod with fender washers to press the bearings in. Used grease on inside of tube and outside of bearing to ease their insertion.

 

[Kiwi Canuck]

Looks good, is that Satin or Gloss finish?

David

 

[steve murdoch]

Well sure a threaded-rod method will work but then you miss out on whacking something with a hammer.
I'll never understand you kids.

Swingarm looks good.

 

[Guest]

Thanks.

I guess after hitting body parts so often, swinging a hammer lost its appeal!