Powder coating ball joints

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The kit is inventoried and the front end assembled. The powder coater says: "No balljoints- the grease ruins everything". Any ideas on how to remove the grease before taking parts to be powder coated? Or do I have to paint the front suspension.
Thanks for the thoughts.
Neil

[sheephearder]

I had mine powder coated and then had to have the balljoints replaced. It was a pricey mistake I made.

[Bob Cowan]

You need to remove the ball joints before PC. Or just paint them.

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I was thinking about melting the grease out with a torch's heat. Thoughts?

[Arrowhead]

You need to remove the ball joints before PC. Or just paint them.

Bob, the hot rod ball joints are welded in the upper and lower control arms by FFR on the hot rod.

I and many other builders have used a spray solvent like carb cleaner and compresed air to remove the factory grease. The powder coater (or chromer) should be able to tape off the joint and coat. Just make sure you grease real well afterwards.

[Bustedknuckles]

I put my ball joints in a bucket of lacquer thinner for three days then used brake cleaner and finally put them in my oven at 400 degrees for one hour. My powder coater was very pleased. He taped them off correctly and they look great! No blast media or powder in the joints. If your powder coater can't deal with it, you need to find another vendor. This not a big problem at all if you have the right guy doing it.

[drburka]

The kit is inventoried and the front end assembled. The powder coater says: "No balljoints- the grease ruins everything". Any ideas on how to remove the grease before taking parts to be powder coated? Or do I have to paint the front suspension.
Thanks for the thoughts.
Neil

I used brake fluid and compressed air. It takes a while but if you rotate the ball joint around and alternate brake fluid and compressed air you'll get most of it out. Then ask your powdercoater to "pre-bake" the parts to burn off any residual grease. Mine turned out nicely.

Of note, the upper ball joints will appear to be very loose when you get them back. I was worried that they were ruined. I re-greased them and they are good as new.

Good luck.