To paint or not to paint...

As I proceed with the restoration of my CJ5 I'm continuously amazed by the underlying condition of parts that at first appear to be beyond restoring. So much so, that I'm having a hard time deciding if the expense of painting these parts is really worth the investment.

For instance, the steering system. The gear box, bellcrank and tie rod ends were not painted originally. Yet, each cleaned up to a near-new look.

My question to the group: Is there a pervasive reason for painting parts that are generally not painted? (Other than the obvious to prevent corrosion from forming.) Afterall, if the part has lasted near 50 years it stands to reason it could last another 50 painted or not.

 

I paint it regardless.

They were all painted on mine from the factory. Cast iron has this nice property, once its glazed up with rust it will stop unless the rust is removed or it is covered in acid or such.

 

same as mike... everything that i touch gets cleaned up and painted rutoleum black. it helps in looking under the hood and figuring out which part is going to go next.

 

x3. You've done the hard part, now go rattle a can and squirt some paint.....

 

Paint it.

 

Paint

 

Paint, just the right thing to do.

 

If you want it to look nice, paint it. If you don't care how it looks, then why bother to clean it up in the first place?

 

I'd paint it. Orange & Black. Oops, not baseball season yet. I meant Black!

 

You've convinced me. What was I thinking? Ron is right, "why bother cleaning in the first place!"
Flat black like all the other parts. Thanks.

 

I power wash then come back and steam clean as much as I can. Let it dry and give it a coat of black paint. I also like to pull the wheels and do the hubs and the back of the hubs at the same time. ONce you get started, it really is not all that big of a job.

I like paint everything (that shows) with a spray can of black. Sometimes gloss sometimes simi gloss.

 

x2