Leaf spring liners

[chtr65]

Any one have any experience with the leaf spring liners on the market today? I have taken my front leaf springs apart, cleaned them down to the bare metal, primed and painted them. Now I am hearing that they should not have paint on them between each leaf. Someone at the local auto parts store has mentioned that he would leave them painted and just add the leaf spring liners. My springs are 2 1/2" wide, but the closest I find available are 2 1/4". I really don't want to strip the paint off of them. Although I could because I did not put the spring sets together yet. Will the 2 1/4" wide liners fit with my 2 1/2" wide springs? Thanks for any and all comments.