How To Mask Steering and Suspension Components
- By Lee Lechner
- Oct 14, 2024
Masking is crucial in the coating process, especially for complex components like those found in steering and suspension systems. These parts often feature complex geometries, tight tolerances, and critical surfaces that must remain uncoated to ensure optimal performance.
Throughout this post, we will take you through various masking products and designs used to mask shock tubes, steering knuckles, tie-rods, and control arms that are manufactured for today's most famous automotive, heavy machinery, and power sports vehicles!
Masking Shock Absorbers
Shock Tube Masks:
The shock tube masks pictured here plug directly into the tube and cap onto the outside diameter to keep a small portion free from paint. For high-volume lines, customers have implemented a color-coded system where they start by using solid-colored masks, such as red, and then switch to swirled-colored masks, such as blue and yellow swirl-colored plugs.
From a technical engineering perspective, the durometer is a crucial element of these silicone masks. In the past, we've seen 40 Duro masks fail to provide a tight enough seal because they tend to "relax" at 40 Duro. Because of this, we make these masks using 50 Duro silicone. This makes them slightly more difficult to install but ensures the part's longevity in the long term.
Pop-Pin Masks:
Pop-pin caps and plugs are excellent solutions to keep coating out while releasing pressure buildup. The central 'pin' releases air, which prevents liquids from entering the part being coated or washed. Once the pressure is low enough, the pin returns to its original setup and seals out pretreatment and paint.
Expandable Masks:
Expandable masks are some of the more highly engineered masking solutions that have been implemented. They combine high-temp-resistant plastic with silicone rubber that expands when the handle is pulled down: this seals the metal, and it prevents the e-coat from leaking and the mask from popping off.
Masking Tie-Rods
When needed, tie rods can be masked off using an assembled threaded cap that includes a Carbon-Filled PPS body and a silicone insert to seal everything out. The inside of the cap is threaded to fasten to the tie rod.
It can also be designed with a hook hole for hanging purposes. The main drawback to a design like this is that it requires investing in tooling for the injection-molded cap and tooling for the compression-molded silicone piece.
Masking Steering Knuckles
A steering knuckle is a vehicle's steering system component that connects the steering wheel to the front wheels. Some of the primary masking points include the central hub mounting bore, mounting holes, and mounting surfaces.
Check out the example pictured here. As you can see, there are several different masking options, including custom molded masks, silicone push plugs, green poly pull tab discs, and even complete green poly masking die-cut kits.
Masking Control Arms
The masking areas of control arms are typically mounting surfaces and bores. Most mid- to high-volume projects usually require custom masking solutions.
The most common design requested for bores is masking sleeves due to their ease of installation and effectiveness. As for mounting surfaces, manufacturers will either use die-cut green poly masking tape or custom-molded masking caps/plugs.
Conclusion
Proper steering and suspension component masking is essential in achieving high-quality coatings and finishes. By implementing proper masking solutions, you can enhance your coating process and overall product finishing. At Echo Engineering, we’re committed to providing the right tools and materials to help you master the art of masking and deliver outstanding results in your coating projects.
While there are countless other methods of masking shocks, steering knuckles, control arms, and other steering and suspension components, we hope this post gives you ideas for how Echo can help improve your masking operations. If you're interested in our team developing a masking solution for your paint line, contact us anytime by filling out the form below!