Just got in my C6Z51 sway bars and was thinking of painting them. The original black looks like a heavy epoxy coating or something. Does anyone know what the OEM paint is and how well it takes to a new paint? Recommendations on paint?

 

Are you changing color? Powdercoat may be an option for you!

 

My buddy VetteZ16 painted his C5Z06 rear sway bar in his drieway. I believe he just used Rustoleum off the shelf from Home Depot. I'lll see if he can chime in and post pics, came out very nice.
EDIT>>>Just got off the phone with him, Rustoleum, just make sure the sway is clean. Neither of us know about the factory finish on C6Z51 sway bars though.

 

I did the same

 

Save time and money and just do the rear one as no one can see the front.

 

Make sure whatever process you use to paint them is heavy duty and water resistant if you are using the factory sway bar mounts. They have a mesh/fabric looking weave kind of stuff that I assume was used for the purpose of keeping them from binding up and keep them moving freely.

The problem is a lot cars end up like mine. It's a 35k always garaged, only driven in good weather (ok, not such a big deal given thats 11 1/2 months a year where I live), C5Z. I was told to look for rust in that area if the car ever seemed to handle weird because it was a common problem for the mesh to retain moisture and eat through even the factory coating. Then comes rust and binding up.

When I had my wheels off to get new tires I unbolted the ends to see if the bars were moving freely since it seemed a bit darty. It should take no more than easy one hand effort to swing them, and I couldn't budge them. Pulled them out and they were nearly welded to the rubber stock mounts. The bars themselves where hugely rusted out and pitted deeply. The bar area outside of the mounts looked perfect. It took a stiff wire wheel to clean off the area completely and the bits of stock paint still there didn't go easily.

I am saving up for some Pfadt bars now but that stock paint was not easy to get off and the rust still ate through it. So I would think about putting the toughest paint you can in there. Powder Coat or something epoxy based maybe. If it can happen to a relative 'garage queen' car like mine as far as bad weather driving goes it can happen to anyone. Also I would make sure to use greaseable aftermarket urethane mounts too, the occasionaly 'graunching' noise would be worth it for peace of mind. Just my .02.