The existing shock absorbers seemed to be good quality Gabriel’s, and seemed to be working fine. They were just fairly rusty and nasty looking. As I had recently acquired a sandblasting cabinet (and was proceeding to blast anything and everything that wasn’t bolted to the floor!), I thought I would have a go at refurb’ing them. So, I sandblasted all the grime, paint and rust off them, and gave them a coat of 2k etch primer, gloss black finishing coat, and finally a clear gloss (both also 2k). I was very happy with the results! Satisfying job, and only cost me the time and a little paint.