I don't remove the springs, but I don't electroplate anything either.
I sandblast everything as thoroughly as possible, prime with Rustoleum Rusty Metal primer and paint the flat straps with Rustoleum Metallic Silver paint. It ends up matching the original appearance when compared to what had been preserved by the original sealing putty where the hood hinge meets the side cowl of the cab. I do not know what the original straps were plated with, but I do know that my painted straps look just like the original plating.
I carefully mask the straps, then paint the springs Rustoleum Gloss Black.
I did not get nicked for my hinges or my hood springs in three closely judged shows where this truck took first place in its category up against some very tough competition.
