Painted pressure plate

[Toms51]

I have a new clutch pressure plate and disc for my cj3a. The entire pressure plate is painted, including the surface that makes contact with the clutch disc. Shouldn’t this surface be bare metal like the flywheel?
Thanks
Tom

[bmorgil]

Definitely Tom. It is a specific surface finish done on a grinder. A trip to the machine shop for a quick touch up to remove the paint and renew the surface, would insure a long clutch life.

Be sure it is paint and not some form of rust protection. I can't imagine why someone would paint the clutch surface unless it was being used as "Art". I actually have a connecting rod in my motor taken off a wall. It was used as art. It was brand new still in the box!

[Patriot]

Wet sand it with 400 grit wet or dry.

[Toms51]

Thanks guys. I took a pic and I do believe it is a protective coating. But nonetheless , it should be removed, right? And if 400 grit will do the job, easy enough.

[gmwillys]

It is a protective coating. As long as you don't get too aggressive, the 400 grit will do to remove the coating. Brake cleaner will loosen the coating up to aid in the process.

[bmorgil]

I would use some form of solvent on it. The pattern left by the surface grinder leaves a very flat surface, that leaves the tiny sharp tooling marks behind. This helps "break in" the new surfaces without glazing. If it is new, and it looks like it is. just scrub it clean. Finish up with a good rinse with brake clean just before you bolt the clutch assembly together. Any spots of grease or dirt or, an irregular surface,will lead to "clutch engagement chatter" and hard spots on the flywheel surface.