Leaf spring coating

try Lanotec. It's a lanolin (sheep wool grease) product that works well in corrosive environments such as mining etc

Or use quality epoxy paint... or both!

Hey Greg! You should know automatically, that a man who really loves and cares for his machinery, uses leather spring gaiters! [;-)

https://www.google.com.au/webhp?source=search_app#hl=en&output=search&sclient=psy-ab&q=leather+spring+gaiters

Hi Greg, I have had trailers and Caravans for 40 odd years (yep I'm a bit old) and for the entire time I have checked my wheel bearings yearly, and what I do is remove the grease from the bearings, rub the old grease onto the springs, it doesn't take too many bearing checks to completely cover the springs, and if a bit of road dust covers the grease who cares.
Cheers, Bill M

Greg

Don't bother wasting Time Effort and money removing the springs and wire buffing them etc etc.

Just pressure (Water) clean them, let them dry and 'hose' them with Lanotec.

It will soak in and the surface rust disappears, whilst working its way between the leaves it does the same and lubricates the moving surfaces.

I have a 75 series Troopy which gets the above treatment regularly plus a Camper Trailer with Leaf Springs when I remember to do it. It really works a treat, however is not long lasting( like year/s or mega Kms) and really depends on the road/surface conditions you encounter on your travels.

I buy it in a bulk 5litre bottle and use a Bunnings $2.00 500ml hand spray bottle to apply it. The nozzle on these bottles can be adjusted from spray to stream depending on your requirement/s.

Before departing on a trip I pressure wash and spray the spring packs and carry the aforementioned spray bottle of Lanotec for re-application if/as necessary.

Sensational product, wouldn't be without it.

Regards

DD

PS

Just checked the product I am currently using - INOX - Lanox. Similar product but another brand.

hi greg
wash them down with truck wash and high pressure let them dry thoroughly
then jack the body up from the rear if possible or one side at a time if you cant jack up rear so the springs hang down which on most leaf
spring pack s will cause the leaves to seperate and create small spaces

this will allow the lanotec to get in between them better i have been using this method for 30 odd yrs on leaf springs it stops rust and on 4wds you will be amazed how smoother the ride is and on trailers it takes out that jolting jarring action when the wheels hit bumps
before the lanotec came on the market i used a mixure of graphite grease and thin motor oil in /from an oil can
cheers
barry

Leaf springs rely on inter leaf friction to give them their rating. As others have found, lubricating them lessens their rating which on an underloaded axle is fine, but if the spring is at capacity anyway, may not be a good thing.
Greasable shackles have a similar effect - they let you know when they want grease.

IMO rust on leaf springs is not a problem.
Lubrication just attracts dust and dirt.
On my vehicle, I disassemble the leaf springs about every 4 years, clean and reassemble, and replace the bushes/pads etc if necessary, but I no longer grease them.

Greg,
I might be doing something wrong but I have never touched mine except for shackle bushes. Front are 17 years old and rears 20 years old. I do check them and spread the leaves from time to time to have a look but this is all I do.

If you aren't playing in saltwater I would just leave them alone and rename the camper "The Rustic Maid".

While Lanotec is good and works well another product to use is a Moly spray which attaches itself to the spring surface and remains there. It is Molybdenum Sulphide based and also lubricates very well.
On Landcruiser springs I used both products and found the Moly to be longer lasting and lubes the spring action so it works in a more supple manner. Noticeably better than nothing at all. Just supplemented with lanotec while out and on the road.