Painting New Hood Springs?

[challengermaniac]

What are some of your ideas for a novice to paint replacement hood springs?  I'm thinking of spraying the hinges off the car and then attaching the springs and using the open hood to extend the springs to a better painting position which will require a lot to cover up other areas not to be painted.  I'm a novice, so please let me know of the best way to do this in a home shop.  Thanks

[jimynick]

The only downside to doing it as you say, is that it's tough to get full coverage, but if you have the hinge off the car that may not be such a big deal. As always with paint, cleanliness is next to godliness and running the springs over the wire brush on your bench grinder is a way to get old paint and rust off and I'd spray them with brake cleaner before wiping them with a Pre-Kleano type final wash. I don't think I'd prime them and I'd use the least amount of paint in thin coats to just cover. That way they're not so likely to shuck the paint after they're cycled a few times. If you've got to have a high gloss on hood springs, then fine some flex agent and mix it in as per direction. Good luck 

[Beekeeper]

When I had my Bee painted, the guy was hesitant to paint the hinges even though they were off the car. He was worried about paint cracking and flaking off even if he added flex agent. It looked great until the day I sold it.

I would keep the spring on the hinge because you run the risk of scratching it all up reinstalling it.