[BRAISKI]

Just wondering what do you guys think about painting the suspension black? I bought Bilstein, so they are yellow.

I have no problems with the color the only reason I want to paint it is to make it black like OEM. My car is just over 1 yr old, I have the xi and its annoying to be sitting so high.

The thing is my insurance has no "performance" mod rule, I normally don't care but with my current policy where God forbids I get into an accident and my car is totaled, I will get a brand new car within 5 yrs. They will not give me the book value of the car. The thing with the Bilstein they are just too "attractive".
I'm sure the insurance will want to check the car for obvious signs of mods just so they can void it and not to buy me a brand new car.

[mike3000fl]

the compression will make regular paint crack, maybe use plastidip or something that flexes.

would you do this on the car or remove them?

[BRAISKI]

The suspension is not installed yet so I can do it before I install them, makes it easier. I was also thinking of plastidip.

[fdriller9]

Originally Posted by mike3000fl

the compression will make regular paint crack, maybe use plastidip or something that flexes.

would you do this on the car or remove them?

Can you explain? I don't see how the compression would affect the paint. The housing doesn't expand does it?

If you just podwercoat the lower section, not the piston shaft, I think it should be ok.

Not sure though...

[mike-y]

I've painted some old koni yellow shocks before with rustoleum spray paint I got from autozone, because they were all chipped up. I also painted mine black for stealth reasons, and yes, it worked fine. The shock body does not compress, it's steel or aluminum. Just make sure you don't get any paint on the shaft, or the rubber seal around the shaft.

I'm don't remember the exact process for powder coating, but if it involves baking the finish on, you aren't going to want to do that with gas charged shocks/struts.

[mike3000fl]

for some reason when I read this I thought you were talking about springs.

thats why I mentioned compression.

late night.

[fdriller9]

Originally Posted by mike-y

I've painted some old koni yellow shocks before with rustoleum spray paint I got from autozone, because they were all chipped up. I also painted mine black for stealth reasons, and yes, it worked fine. The shock body does not compress, it's steel or aluminum. Just make sure you don't get any paint on the shaft, or the rubber seal around the shaft.

I'm don't remember the exact process for powder coating, but if it involves baking the finish on, you aren't going to want to do that with gas charged shocks/struts.

Very good point about the fluid inside. I didn't think of that. I think it's oil though, not gas. But regardless, most likely it will expand under heat and that is no good.