I am rebuilding the front suspension on a 72 Cutlass convertible with disc brakes. After cleaning the spindles I notice that all the mating surfaces appear to be bare metal. I plan to paint the spindles before putting it back together. Should I tape off the bare metal areas before painting? If the bare areas are painted will it cause problems in the future?

Thanks.
Don

 

Will the thickness of the paint matter to fitment? Not really. When I had mine powder coated I masked those surfaces, but that's a lot thicker than paint.

 

While paint probably won't harm anything, there is really no reason to paint those surfaces as they usually get a light film of grease on them preventing them from corroding.

 

It is easier to tape off the areas in question than remove paint later. At a minimum tape the threads to prevent mechanical damage such as a nicked thread.

 

Joe , do you think that paint on the part,ere the bearings ride, is ok ?

 

You're just going to scrape the paint off and it will end up in the grease when you put the bearing on. There is a reason press fit is called that. Will a paint goober end up in a bearing? Maybe.