Date:    Wed, 8 Mar 2006 23:57:19 -0500
From:    Wesley Pegden <wes@CS.UCHICAGO.EDU>
Subject: Re: last call for axle cleaning suggestions

Thanks for all the great suggestions.  I'll let people know how it goes.
And just to clarify: yes, I was talking about the axles, and not the
joints themselves.  John, If I do paint my axles (yellow!), how far back
do you think I should tape off the axles for painting?  I assume I
should keep it comfortably away from the part that will be under the
boot?  I guess I could paint after putting the boots on...
Thanks again,
-Wes

Wes,

It will look a whole lot better job if you paint first and fit the boots
later. Work out where the boots will be on the shafts and then paint up
to just under them. This will give you the nice neat interface between
boot and shaft.
To paint after the boot is on will inevitably lead to some paint getting
on the boot which will look like crap or once installed on the van the
boot will move and expose an unpainted area in between which will also
look like crap.

If I were going to all that trouble I'd paint them first and I would
also paint them to match the colour of the van although personally I'd
be more than satisfied with matt black...YMMV....

Cheers,
Steve O
NSW Australia
'92 Transporter WBX Kombi
'00 Transporter Double Cab
'03 Transporter Double Cab (work truck)
'78 Land Rover 109 Series 3 soft top ute (ex-Aust.Army)