The Colors of a Sway Bar

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A sway bar (also called an anti-roll bar or stabilizer bar) can be found in several different colors, but these colors are not just for decoration. They primarily indicate the type of coating or material the bar is made from, which relates to its performance, cost, and resistance to corrosion.

Here are the most common colors and what they mean:

1. Black

What it is: This is the most common color for standard, OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) sway bars.

Coating: It's typically a thick, black paint or a powder coat.

Purpose: The main goal is to prevent rust and corrosion. It's a cost-effective and durable solution for everyday vehicles.

2. Metallic Silver / Bare Metal

What it is: This is often the natural color of the steel itself.

Coating: Sometimes it has a clear protective coating, but many high-performance bars are left uncoated.

Purpose: This is common on aftermarket performance sway bars. Leaving it uncoated saves cost and weight. However, it is more susceptible to rust unless it's made of a special alloy like chrome-molybdenum steel, which is more corrosion-resistant.

3. Red or Blue

What it is: These vibrant colors are almost exclusively found on high-performance aftermarket sway bars from brands like Eibach (famous for their red bars) or Hotchkis.

Coating: This is a durable powder coat.

Purpose:

Brand Identification: The color is a signature of the brand, making their products instantly recognizable.

Corrosion Protection: Like the black coating, it provides excellent protection against rust and chemicals.

Aesthetics: It gives a sporty, customized look, especially when installed on a car where it might be visible.

4. Yellow / Gold

What it is: This is less common but is usually seen on bars that have a zinc plating or cadmium plating.

Coating: A thin layer of zinc or cadmium.

Purpose: This provides very good corrosion resistance and has a distinctive yellowish-gold hue. It's often used on smaller components or in applications where a thin, precise coating is needed.

5. White

What it is: This is relatively rare but can be seen on some aftermarket or custom bars.

Coating: A white powder coat.

Purpose: Purely for aesthetics and customization, to match a specific car's color scheme or theme.