I'm currently working thru redoing front suspension, ball joints, tie rods etc on my '77. I'm going to paint the control arms etc as the are off. What have others done to coat the now exposed bits of frame, spring cavity when things are apart. Has minor surface rust at most, just like the idea is cleaning up and making black again

 

This is off the wall but does a great job....

I also added 1/2" thick spacers to each body mount so the blasting would be thorough...not to mention making brake and fuel lines easier to change.

 

As doorgunner suggested, as well as other methods. It all is determined by your ability and and your effort. Sand paper, sanding blocks, wire wheels, flapper wheels, things as small as dremel tips and dremel sanding wheels, Then it comes down to taping and masking off the things you don’t want to get new paint into/on to. Using masking tape, pin striping tape, cutting those with razor blades to expose what you want to paint and what you want to mask. Then it becomes a matter of what you want to do to that metal. Just slap on por15? First do a rust remover? Apply a primer, primer sealer, then paint? Etc?Proper prep is key to a smooth, long lasting finish, and then judicious masking, keeping in mind that anything around it, anything exposed (not taped or masked with paper or tin foil) will get overspray. My ‘69 looked amazing with a body on restore because I did the above and slowed down to keep all of these things in mind. This is the only engine bay shot that remains, but much was painted in place. Wish I had more, as you could see how I taped up and painted in place such things as the new A arm bushings (zoom in), the firewall, master & booster, etc in place in such a way that it looked like all parts were painted individually/separate from one another and off the car. But maybe, just maybe, I might be a bit ocd! 2nd pic shows the '72. Yes, I've stripped a lot out, but everything that you see (including block, heads, etc) will get the above treatment in place (once weather allows). Previous owner had A arms and a few other parts powder coated, so they will just get a light scuff and a few top coats of satin black to match everything else. Cool thing is, once done, it is soooo easy to do touch ups by spraying paint into a paint cap and dabbing a little on with a small modelers type paint brush. 😀

 

If you have a tractor supply near by you might want to look into the implement paint it has high solids and very durable and self leveling compounds Finnish is OEM they only have it in gloss and flat but if you buy the gloss it will tone down to semi and looks phenomenal

 

There are many areas that are hard to mask, but are relatively easy to wrap aluminum foil around.

 

I love using it. So moldable and stays there without tape.