Axle Housing Clean-Up

[BG_TX]

I am about to install a lift and in the process I want to clean up the axle housing (rust protect/paint, etc). I read through some historical threads and some have used Rustoleum, others POR15, others Krylon but most were posts from individuals who recently did the clean-up. I was wondering if there were current testimonials from those who have done this awhile ago and how their brand/approach held up over time...

My current condition....

 

[klinetime574]

Here is a really good thread. More inspirational than instructive. But 5280Hawk has done some nice restoration to his cruiser.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/141404-out-hibernation.html

 

[cruiserjunktion]

the paint isn't as important as surface prep


steam clean and use primer before you paint



por is spensive, I prefer Rustoleum oil based products

they get the job done..... cheap

 

[ntsqd]

Neither PO-15 or Rustoleum has lasted the life of my mini's front bumper, though the POR lasted considerably longer and I did violate the rule about top coating it. Meaning that I didn't top coat (UV issues) and I got nearly a decade out of it. The Rustoleum hasn't lasted 3 years.

 

[lehiguy]

Ok, that's the front axle of a four-wheel drive, an FJ62 it appears. And you're worried about the finish? I thought for a minute I'd logged onto Bimmer forums again... If the paint is staying on longer than say, a month, you're not having enough fun with that rig.

 

[NocalFJ60]

When I rebuilt my axles I sand blasted them and then painted with multiple coats of zero rust.

 

[BG_TX]

Here is a really good thread. More inspirational than instructive. But 5280Hawk has done some nice restoration to his cruiser.

Very nice, and he used some run of the mill flat black paint. That is the look I am going for. Cheap is the answer!

though the POR lasted considerably longer...I got nearly a decade out of it. The Rustoleum hasn't lasted 3 years.

I would not have expected a decade, although it is a bumper so it will see less action than the axle housing that is impressive. Now I know what to use when I get around to purchasing and painting armor.

If the paint is staying on longer than say, a month, you're not having enough fun with that rig.

Aww be nice... I am having fun going through every piece and building it up. I will have fun trying to go over everything and beating it up later.

When I rebuilt my axles I sand blasted them and then painted with multiple coats of zero rust.

I searched zero rust... that is some spendy stuff! I don't intend on getting too in depth with the clean-up. I would be nice to tear it all down, sandblast and treat the frame, axle housing, etc but I am far from that.

I prefer Rustoleum oil based products they get the job done..... cheap

How long has the Rustoleum held from nornal wear/tear? This sounds like the best approach, cheap and looks good. My expectation is the housing would need redone about every 2-3 years when exposed to normal wear/tear (definately not crawling action).

 

[ElliottB]

I shot my nasty front axle with some degreaser and scrubbed it with a brillo pad. After a couple days of drying shoot some good quality paint on it and should hold up fairly well. Granted, its not a professional job it can be touched up easily and is a cheap cleanup.

 

[BG_TX]

That looks really good Elliott!

Degreaser... brillo... time... Rustoleum flat black (going cheap)... I will post pics of the results.

 

[FJ60Cam]

I painted my sliders with Rustoleum Professional rattle can primer and then topped it with Professional Black semigloss. I've been pleased with it so far (about 2.5 years.) It obviously won't hold up with direct hits to rocks but seems to be resisting the elements otherwise.

I painted my diffs with plain Rustoleum, but no primer (but good surface prep) and it looked like crap before a year's time.

 

[Dieseler]

Heh who let that Jeep in here

 

[ElliottB]

Heh who let that Jeep in here

Wait... FJ40's aren't jeep products??

 

[ntsqd]

FWIW MISF (My Infamous Scout Friend) has used POR on his, well everything but his hootus and maybe that too, but I don't want to know about it. I'd guess that the POR on his axles is now a little over 15 years old. I know that he has touched up where mods were made, but I don't think that he's ever completely repainted either axle. Once in a great while he'll scrape hard enough to need touch-up, but most normal scrapes don't do much to the paint.

The top coat is important to any POR exposed to sunlight. Best is to let the POR get tacky (leaves a fingerprint but does coat the finger is about right) and then apply what ever you want for a top coat. I use POR as the 'primer' and Rustoleum rattle cans for the top coat.

 

[Mikesta]

Heh who let that Jeep in here

No joke

 

[cruiserjunktion]

https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/139849-bj60-fj62-turbo=-bjt62-2.html

see post 88

Skip the rattle can.

Use a paint gun/ compressor.

I use a $20 paint gun purchased from wal-mart.

 

[mkguyvr]

Heh who let that Jeep in here

jeeps make great firewood!

 

[Joe_E]

No joke

 

[ElliottB]

Ouch guys. I'm feeling the hate!

 

[Mikesta]

We don't hate you man.... we just like to bash your rig