So I'm going to be replacing my shocks and struts soon and I'll be keeping the stock springs. I haven't looked at them but I kind of imagine after 13 years they might could use a new coat of paint. My first question is, am I right to be thinking about painting them? My second question is there any type of paint to use or stay away from?

I figure I'd just degrease them, sand the surface down, and spray them with some paint. My main reason for painting them is to protect them from rust/corrosion but I'd like them to look good too.

 

Springs are powder coated when new...no painted.

 

So, if the powder coating is all chipped and beat up, which I think is unlikely, should I paint them? Or leave them be? I don't really see getting them re-powder coated.

 

It's not going to hurt by spray painting them. It's not as durable as power coating. But for $5 you can't beat it.

It might be somewhat reasonable ~($150) to get them coated, then again it may be cheaper to buy new ones.

 

If the coating is chipped off and in bad shape I'd look into getting them possibly re-coated as it'll be more robust, but yes paint would be the cheapest alternative. The powdercoat on my springs is holding up well, but I attempt to spray them off well with a pressure washer every time I wash the car to help keep road grim off of them.