Heck yes -- don't just cover 'em up with $30 shock wears, clean 'em up!! =)
Same goes for the rear shocks on the FL350R...some elbow grease and paint makes this stuff look like new. =) Just un-thread the end off the shock and it's a breeze.
On the spring, I used some blue gloss rust-o-leum, about 3-4 coats after giving about 5-min of wire-wheeling. On the plastic cover, just some cleaner and some krylon black (for plastic). Then the shock body and ends get some light wire wheeling, #000 steel wool, and finished with some light clear coat that's "baked on" with a heat gun for ~30 seconds. Rubber stoppers get cleaned with armor-all. Lastly, use a small flat-head screwdriver or pick to clean the grime off the eyelet seals. VOILA!
Front shocks FL350R...you need a spring compressor to tear it down.
Check the finish on the shock shaft, too. You want it to be smooooth and shiney.



