I have new diff covers, that came painted black. What's the best and cheapest way I can paint the "spider" only? I was thinking sand and prep the spider and then brush paint with a automotive style paint. I don't expect it to be perfect as our Southeast mud tends to stain the undercarriage.

 

I had these covers previously. I bought mine bare and my method was to paint the entire cover the color I wanted the spider. Then, after it cured well, I taped over the entire spider and carefully cut around the legs and body. I followed with the color I wanted the rest of the cover, peeled the tape off, and viola!

Since you already have black, i think I'd just tape the entire thing and cut around the legs.....exposing the spider only so you can paint that. It's a tedious task, but looks nice when done.

If you play in the rocks at all, keep an eye on the lower bolts in the rear. My only complaint with those covers is the lower bolts are exposed to get chewed up.

 

I have Riddler covers with a much smaller logo, but I just brushed the paint on after doing the black base coat. It's pretty easy and the paint wants to follow the raised edges. The texture tends to prevent a perfect line too.

 

Thanks Guys,,, love the stainless bolts,,, I may need to find some of those. My Poison Sypder covers came with gold type plated bolts.

 

If you don't already have LubeLockers, I highly suggest them. They sure beat scrapping old RTV if you're one that likes to pull the cover and inspect everything when doing gear oil changes.....or if you have to remove the cover for some various reasons like changing seals.

 

Yes I'm going to buy lube lockers,,, just did some research and thanks for the tip.

 

Mine were black when I got them. I wanted a black spider on a red background, so I just taped over the spider, cut around the edges with a razor, and spray-painted away. I half-assed it since I figured nobody would be crawling underneath to get a good look and they'd get covered in mud and dirt and bashed into rocks anyway, so I didn't do any real prep work, used whatever paint was laying around and just sorta rush-jobbed it. I regret throwing the yellow in there, but don't care enough to fix it right now. Still, came out lookin' pretty decent given how little effort went into it.

 

I think it's the poison spider ones where folks were breaking bolts. There is a torque spec associated with those bolts but I go by feel. I have Solid covers so I don't have any first-hand painting tips to contribute. My buddy had the spider ones though and painted the centers with spray paint, same as everyone else- tape over what you want to stay black. I will say this though- he said he regretted painting it because you put in all of this time and he was never able to keep them looking nice.....he also used the jeep pretty hard on the hard lines.

 

Speaking of bolts.......do NOT torque them as tight as the LubeLockers will direct you to. It's something redonk like 35ft lbs! That bolt isn't big enough to withstand that force. As Karl mentioned, I broke I think 1 or 2 bolts along the way myself. My covers were on/off a lot. TBH, I think it was probably because I followed the LL instructions initially which just stressed the bolts. Just use your head. I think it's more important to just use the LL pattern and get them reasonably tight.

 

I believe those are powder coated not painted so paint really doesn't like to stick. That being said, I scuffed mine with some sand paper, sprayed the whole thing one color then hand painted the spider with a different color. It worked fine for something most people wont see