BRACE BARS AND ARBS

1

Suspension brace bars and anti- roll bars (ARB) are made from thick steel, so if they are covered in surface corrosion, they can often be cleaned up and painted. Start by attempting to remove these components. Soaking all the fixing in penetrating oil can help.

2

Use an angle grinder with an abrasive flap disc to clean the surface corrosion from the brace bar or anti- roll bar. Wear a full-face mask, earplugs and thick gloves. Dirt will fill the air, so wear a mask if you have respiratory problems and work in a well-ventilated area.

3

Work around the brace or anti- roll bar when removing all the surface corrosion. These can be an awkward objects to clean, so you may have to resort to positioning it on the floor and using blocks of wood to raise it or secure one end in the vice.

4

When you’ve removed as much of the surface corrosion as possible, wipe over the metalwork with panel wipe, then apply a coat of primer (wear a breathing mask and ensure the area is well-ventilated). Apply a second coat, then leave to dry for the recommended time.

5

Apply a suitable metal paint to the brace bar or ARB. These components may flex, so a light paint may be better to use, although we have found good results with general metal paints applied with a brush.