Best way to paint triple tree forks?

[justride]

I've been contemplating a build over the past few weeks - another barn find DX - and the build is pretty much screaming for a triple tree fork. The problem is, the fork needs to be painted to match the frame. I've worked with triple trees before, and I'm afraid that if I paint the legs, that the lower tree is going to scratch up the new paint on the legs when I go to install them.

So I'm thinking - do I fit the forks to the frame, bolt down the lower crown, and just tape it off and paint around it, or is there a better way to install the lower crown so it doesn't scratch the heck out of the legs?

 

[JGood]

A flat head screw driver can be used to open the crown to slide it over the legs. Has worked for me in the past.

 

[sscruisers]

Yup thats what I use, put the center tube in a vice, coat the painted tube with motorcycle fork oil (can get used oil from your local motorcycle shop for free) use a flat head screwdriver and spread the crown