Leaf springs: Paint between the leaves?

[tttorho]

Hi. I am renovating my MG TB:
I am dismantling the leaf springs and I plan to clean/wirebrush them. Then I plan to use Graphite grease between the leaves before mounting again. But should I paint between the leaves also?

Torstein

[Tim Jackson]

Torstein,
I received this excellent advice from Eric Worpe when re-tempering my TC springs.
"My personal feeling for the springs is to dismantle them, round off all corners and edges, strip them of paint and then clean them with emery cloth. After de-greasing, paint with a zinc based primer, loosely assemble and paint the edges and exposed surfaces with black, semi-gloss enamel paint. Dismantle the springs again and coat between the leaves with a mixture of graphite and silicon grease; reassemble the spring leaves and bend over the clamps, making sure that the dimples are in alignment. The graphite lubricates the springs, whilst the silicon grease prevents water washing away the graphite mixture. After assembly of the springs, force the mixture of graphite and silicon into any gaps between the spring leaves."
Tim