First off materials you will need:
-12mm socket and wrench.
-6mm hex wrench.
-Corded or Cordless electric drill (I prefer cordless)
-Steel wire brush wheels or multi set (hand held wire brush may also be handy)
-OR aircraft grade paint stripper if you prefer not to wire brush the paint off (I would still rough up the cast iron surface with something though)
-brakleen
-Super thin tying wire
-Saw horse (or anything to hang objects from that can get paint on it)
-Duplicolor High Heat ceramic engine enamel, color code: 1651 Cast Coat Iron
-Primer (Optional)
Directions:
1-First off remove your OEM strut bar by unbolting it the two 12mm nuts on each shock tower holding it down. This is a good time to inspect the damage on the underside you can not see while bolted down.
This is how the bar looks that I am refinishing, this did not come off my car I simply bought it off a ghetto fabbed hatchcrap and decided to save it.
2- Using a 6mm hex key and the a 12mm wrench or socket unbolt the and pieces from the aluminum shaft. (be careful not to damage the shaft)
3- I then put the end link in a vise to hold it steady, and began to remove the existing paint using the wire brush wheel in the cordless drill. I ended up using 3 different sizes of wheels to get in all the cracks and such. (bought a variety pack of wheels at harbor freight for cheap - made in china) this process took me about 10 min. done right for each piece. Using the wire wheel also roughed up the area which will help the paint adhere later on. I used an M16 5.56mm brass bore cleaning brush to get the paint out of the holes (you shouldn't to do this if yours isn't a funky color like mine was)
4- Then clean off residue and dust with brakleen and allow to dry completely.
5- Hang one of them from something (I used a saw horse) using super thin wire or fishing line. Run the line through the hole that is protrudes and will have a bolt through it when put back on car, as this will have the least interference when painting. see pic for correct hole.
7- Bolt both end pieces back on shaft and then bolt back into vehicle.
Good as new.
-Nathaniel
