Paint is paint, and I sure hope you do not need an explanation.
Powder coating, on the other hand, is kind of like paint, but the finish is harder and tougher.
How To Paint Your Springs
With paint, once the spring is been cleaned of rust, dust and other junk, you simply hang the spring by one of its eyes and give it two or three coats of good quality paint. Let them dry and install them.
How To Powder Coat Your Springs
With powder coating, once the spring has been prepped, you use your electrostatic gun to spray on a negative charge of the color of your choice onto the spring that has been grounded. Then the spring is heated to melt and bind the powder to it. And here is where the trouble can begin. Because you see, Spring Steel does not like a lot of heat.
Anything over 400 degrees Fahrenheit starts to anneal the steel. That is, the steel starts to go soft and a spring with soft steel is no longer a spring. Pretending you are doing a slab of ribs on the barbie is the best way to cure the powder. Low and slow.
Where Do You Get The Equipment?
Places like Eastwood and Amazon has all the equipment required to powder coat.
And every hardware, big box and auto parts store has paint.
Which Method Lasts Longer?
We have found that, if the springs are painted and you drive your vehicle in a couple of years or so, there will be rust between the leaves.
If you powder coat your springs and drive the vehicle, again in a couple of years or so, there will be rust between the leaves.
The decision on which method to use can be a tough one.