Wouldn't it cause problems if I painted the driveshaft and the paint wasn't even all the way around? I hate looking under the truck and seeing that rusty driveshaft.

 

I know what you mean. Sand it and paint it, that's what I;m going to do.

 

realy the rust wont hurt anything but the apperance.

yes, I do like the look of the GM drive shafts, although they are aluminum. been thinking about painting mine red to match my shocks[sm=badbadbad.gif]

 

Unless you really do a good prep job to get 100% of the surface rust, it will be a short term solution. I doubt you could get enough paint to impact the balance.

How often do you get under your truck?

 

I work in a paint shop, assembling pump jacks. I could very easily pop my driveshaft in the sand blast booth to get rid of any and all rust on mine, and then pop it in one of the two paint booths and get it professionally painted any color I want. I've only had my truck 6 weeks and the aluminum driveshaft is already rusty.

-Rob

 

rob, you just made me wonder if I could do the same since I have access to a sand booth and a paint shop. . .hhhmmmmmm

doubt my rear driveshaft would fit though

 

I wonder how a chemical rust remover would work. Seems like Naval Jelly would work OK. I'd go as far as clearcoating it too.

 

What you might consider doing, if you don't have access to a sand blaster, or glass bead would be better, is to wire wheel the shaft, wipe it down good with a laquer or mineral spirits, let it completely dry, then treat with a rust converter. The one WITHOUT the media in it. Then prime with red oxide paint. Then finish with the color of your choice.
As far as build up goes for the balance, I wouldn't worry about it. The rpm's aren't that high, and the rotating mass of the drive line versus the paint--not an issue

 

One of the first things I did on my new Ram. I sanded to bare metal, used metal-prep, rust inhibiting primer, and painted that ugly sucker black. Whoever came up with unpainted parts and no rear fender-well liners should be shuffled off to the German home office (or to Ford) post haste!

 

I think I have been under my truck like 3 times, I have not looked at the drive but will check now.