willysmjeeps.com

I bought some NOS tie rod ends that have springs and cone washers instead of the rubber boots. They matched the old ones that I'm taking off now.
should they be painted? I have never seen painted rod ends on any of my modern vehicles. I was thinking of using a clear plastic paint that I found on an auto restorers web site to clear coat them for rust and leaving them au naturale looking.
Suggestions?

Frames were painted at the factory after assembly of the running gear.

Small parts for the engine, etc were added later.

So then I should take the tires off and blast everything green I guess. I left the brake lines, universal joints on the axles, differential cover bolts, and the diff. vents "steel" color. I wanted some contrast. Is this were personal preference comes in?

That applies to major sub assmeblies. Smaller stuff appears to have been added later: brake lines, small engine parts, starter, generator, etc.

Do a search on this website and you will find more info on what colors for what parts.

The owner of a jeep is always entitled to use his personal preferences in all he does with the jeeps.

If you want a quality factory resto and you ask for a color here and that color is pointed out that is all we can do. You will have to decide if you want to use that color or go with your personal preference.

A basic idea of how things came together at the factory will probably make this easier to explain. The major sub assemblies came from both Willys and other vendors. The tubs and major body panels were painted OD by Willys as they were produced. The frame showed up in satin black with no primer and was shot OD by Willys after the running gear was in place. The engine was painted OD as an assembly before the accessories were installed. Some accessories came black and others OD. Generators, starters, distributors, came black. Carbs and fuel pumps came with a yellowish cadmium plate. Bolts, brackets, plumbing, springs and axles got OD when the frame was sprayed. At the point the tub and frame came together hardware and plumbing was usually whatever finish it came of the shelf in.

How would you reproduce the yellow cadium on the carborator and fuel pump? I was going to gently soda blast these but they don't have the finish anymore.

Get an Eastwood catalog.

If the unit is rebuilt by a quality pro shop it will get re-plated. If you rebuild it then while it's apart that is a good time to send the parts out for plating. Or as a last resort get the Eastwood catalog which offers several do-it-yourself at home kits for re-plating.