Painting axle, driveshaft
 

Making a list of things to do this spring. One is to paint the rear axle housing and driveshaft.

I've done this on other cars I had, and it looks nice. Plain old Rustolium thinned just a little and a roller brush seems to work well for the first coat (thinning seems to help it penetrate layer of rust well) . After the first coat, I just roll it on straight.

Anyone else paint these parts?

Rustoleum Pro, Eastwood's Chassis black, and POR15 (on rougher surfaces) will all work. I've never thinned any of them (except when spraying the R-O Pro) and had great results from each.

if you have an aluminum D.S., leave it alone, no sense in adding rotational weight, even if its a gram of weight. Ive painted my rear, and not much paint falking of goes on as long as you prep the surface very well.

POR-15'd the rear on my camaro and after two years of year round driving it still looks the same. does not have the same shine it did but very little if any chipping.

I started painting steel driveshafts after two cars had tossed balance weights because they rusted off. Doesn't take too much to make a poor spot weld fail.

The little bit if weight that dry paint adds does not seem to affect balance to any degree that you will notice vibration.

I painted them to prevent rust, not for good looks.

Vibrations im not concerned with, rotational weight is what I was refering to. if weights are falling off, sounds like its due to poor maintenance and inspection. and as i stated before, if it's an aluminum driveshaft don't paint it, but if it's steel, have a ball.

You are absolutely right. I need to do a better job on my weekly driveshaft inspection and maintenance program. :mrgreen:

i just got a new angle air grinder for work,maybe i will try do the rear when i get a chance.

Sounds more like you didn't keep up with ANY inspection. try to do a better job next time :cool:

If you painted the shaft the paint would have held it together. :D

Only if it was Rustolium. Gotta use the right stuff.