[RickD]

Been thinking about painting my rear differential cover.
Back in the day when I didn’t have any responsibilities, some of the guys that I used to hang around with, well, we would paint the differential covers. Made it look cool. Not sure how I’m going to clean it. I know I’ll have to wait till it’s a little warmer out. 173K miles of road grime and surface rust need to be cleaned off. I suspect I’ll use that ‘purple’ degreaser stuff on it, then a wire brush and some mineral spirits to get it ready for paint.

You guys have any other ideas on ‘degreasing’ it? Primer and paint combo?
Fire engine red? Neon Yellow?

 

[08Canyon]

If you have an air compressor you can get a descaler air tool attachment. That will help beat off the corrosion.

Compact Air Needle Scaler

 

[laxdogg24]

I painted mine gold hahaha. Just did a basic clean with a wirebrush/ scotchbrite/ sandpaper and then used some wheel paint I think. Held up decent. Ive only resprayed it once maybe I think

 

[RickD]

I haven't used a needle gun since I was in the Navy oh so long ago. Forgot all about them. I do have some decent ear protection. Might just have to give some thought to it. Do have a compressor and can never have enough tools.

 

[RickD]

I painted mine gold hahaha. Just did a basic clean with a wirebrush/ scotchbrite/ sandpaper and then used some wheel paint I think. Held up decent. Ive only resprayed it once maybe I think

Did you have to use any type of cleanser?

 

[Goros]

Wait until you do a rear diff service and just replace it.

It's $30 for the gasket, cover w/magnet, and new fill plug. Comes raw galvanized steel, then you can finish it as you wish and install it during your diff service.

 

[RickD]

Wait until you do a rear diff service and just replace it.

It's $30 for the gasket, cover w/magnet, and new fill plug. Comes raw galvanized steel, then you can finish it as you wish and install it during your diff service.

That's surely another option. I'm due to crawl under there in 5 or 6 weeks anyways.

 

[Rick_crew]

Wait until you do a rear diff service and just replace it.

It's $30 for the gasket, cover w/magnet, and new fill plug. Comes raw galvanized steel, then you can finish it as you wish and install it during your diff service.

No kiddin'?

I paid over $20 at NAPA last week for a Fel-Pro gasket alone.

 

[Guest]

Have it chrome coated, unique on the 355 model

 

[05colorado5spd]

Ive had mine painted red for yrs i even did black bolts

 

[laxdogg24]

Did you have to use any type of cleanser?

Nope. My truck has been a california truck its whole life though so not much crap to work around.

 

[RickD]

Wait until you do a rear diff service and just replace it.

It's $30 for the gasket, cover w/magnet, and new fill plug. Comes raw galvanized steel, then you can finish it as you wish and install it during your diff service.

Where did you get the gasket/cover, at a local dealer? GMPartsDirect? etc?

 

[wh1pple]

I should do something to my 14 bolt cover....

 

[Kraco5]

Already did it and the front and the trans paint...............Sorry no pics...........

 

[Shipwright]

All painted with drain bung welded in...

 

[Freeballin]

I was going to clean & paint my rear differential cover but then decided to go with this thick polished aluminum cover for $75.95 on eBay.

10 Bolt Rear End Differential Cover GM Polsihed Aluminum Fits Camaro Chevelle | eBay

 

[seffieldvillage]

When I bought my trailblazer SS axle, I went ahead and bought a new cover for it and my wife painted it with mr horsepower for me. She used 1shot pinstripe paint, it's still going strong after 3 years.

 

[lost it]

I painted my rear diff. And got shock covers. I cleaned degreesed it then used engine block primer and paint from pepboys. " chevy red orange". It's cool. People do comment on it. Good luck with it. I love mine...

:355group:

 

[Shipwright]

When I bought my trailblazer SS axle, I went ahead and bought a new cover for it and my wife painted it with mr horsepower for me. She used 1shot pinstripe paint, it's still going strong after 3 years.

Awesome!

 

[1BADI5]

When I swapped rear end I stripped everything, cleaned and painted.

There was some minor rust on the inside of the cover from sitting...... I bought a new diff cover kit from GM (included a new cover, gasket and hardware for $22 on ebay)

I cleaned everything, primed and painted with my choice color........ the cover and center section was taped off and painted together in a gunmetal metallic