Frame paint

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M

mdemeglio

Joined
Dec 27, 2007
Threads
84
Messages
375
Location
Southport, NC
After sandblasting a frame down to bare metal what do you guys recommend for paint? I see a lot of folks using products like POR-15 and ZeroRust but haven't used them and wonder if they are the right thing for the job (seems like they are meant for rusty frames/parts that can't be cleaned down to bare metal).

Anyone have any experience with these products, used another product that worked well, or stuck with Rustoleum and had good results long term? I just want to paint it in confidence knowing it will stay on and protect the frame 5 years down the road...
 
Mike,

We used POR and it worked great on the Blue Cruiser. I have also tried Zero Rust, is not bad but POR is thicker and more resistant I believe. I used rustolem on top of Zero Rust.
 
I've also used POR15 and it works as advertised. It's not just for rusty objects - it will protect very well if you follow the instructions! Be sure to topcoat it, even the frame will have some sun expose which does discolor POR.
 
Thanks for the info.

Joe - how much POR-15 do you think I'd need for just the frame?
 
Based on experiences I've read in the 40 tech section I'd go for galvanizing too. It sounds like the best long term solution. There's a place a few minutes up the road from me in Graham that I've heard has a big enough facility to dip the whole frame, South Atlantic Galvanzing.
 
mdemeglio said:
Thanks for the info.

Joe - how much POR-15 do you think I'd need for just the frame?
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I'd suggest checking in the 40 Section for anyone else who's done it. But if I had to guess, I think a gallon (plus a quart?) might be plenty enough. POR15 is very thin and you don't need to slop it on or build it up thick. This is applying it by hand - if you spray it you'd likely need more.
 
Keep said:
Based on experiences I've read in the 40 tech section I'd go for galvanizing too. It sounds like the best long term solution. There's a place a few minutes up the road from me in Graham that I've heard has a big enough facility to dip the whole frame, South Atlantic Galvanzing.
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I will be doing my second one in the next few months, since it will be stripped down to nothing. I've heard 250-300 for the frame, but don't know of anyone who's done it recently, and from the Graham location. I've seen some posts from Upstate...

Galvanized frame and a good epoxy paint should last another 50 years or so! Hmmm driving a 1974 FJ40 when I'm 84 in 2059... pretty neat stuff...
 
i have a brand new quart of POR-15 I will sell you. I bought too much. I just did this to my frame a year or so ago. I think 3 quarts was enough. Let me know if you want to buy it. its still in the bubble wrap from when it was delivered. It is a great product. They are right though. It does need to be top coated. I didnt do that and my front and rear areas where sun gets to it have a faded look. I will have to touch them up.

Zero Rust is alright but its very thin and absorbs way too fast. its good if you need to get under the truck and hit some stuff but thats about all its really useful for.

cool cruisers sells it which is where i bought it from.

Shoot me a PM if you want it.
 
Used POR as well on a 40 frame and axles, it takes alot less than you think it would As stated make sure you do all the proper prep work as they state. Their degreaser is awesome, tried alot in the past and their's works very well. You want to take off all the lose rust. I just used an angle grinder with wire(twisted) wheel on the metal to get all the lose rust off and that worked great. Think i ended up using 1/2 a gallon on the bare frame and 2 axles, but my shortterm sucks and that was 7 years ago;) Best of luck with it. I would go with a pint first and buy more if you need it as it does not store well once you open it and it's not cheap.
 
Mtbcoach said:
What is the best source for the POR-15. I'll be looking to do the same to my trailer frame and need to be prepared in the coming couple weeks...
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I just bought direct from them online Jerry.
POR-15 Inc.
 
...to further elaborate, their degreaser is marine clean. Also use the metal ready they offer, it preps the metal surface after you have degreased for the por-15. I took all these steps and think I did 2 coats and you could hit it with a hammer and it would not break or chip the coat. I was impressed...
 
Np Jerry, yeah I couldn't find any local dealers when I ordered as well to save me on some shipping as it all had alot of weight and I ordered way too much:) Best of luck with it!
 
You're also supposed to lay your primer over it while the POR is still tacky, as I recall - so make sure you have the primer ready as well. I used POR15, as Yo Han said their degreaser and Metal Ready etcher, some of their floorboard kit to fix a POS Discovery I had, and the results were fantastic.

I'm hoping Barry (rutbeer) chimes in, he was a POR15 distributor.
 
Jerry - It looks like 4 Wheel Parts (Jeep Parts, Jeep Accessories, and Jeep Tops by 4 Wheel Drive Hardware ? Your Jeep Parts Source) sells POR15. They have a store on Glenwood in Raleigh, I'm going to stop there today and see if they have it in stock. I'll post back if I find it there.

From reading some threads in the Mud Paint and Body section, it sounds like I'm better off NOT sandblasting my frame - I'd just have to use etching primer to make it rough enough for the POR to adhere to. I'll read more about it but I think the best course is just to go over the frame with a wire cup / course sandpaper, degrease it, metal prep it, apply POR, prime, topcoat it with whatever color/finish you want. The last step is optional but sounds like it'd be worth it since it won't be down to the frame again (hopefully) anytime soon.
 
mdemeglio said:
Jerry - It looks like 4 Wheel Parts (Jeep Parts, Jeep Accessories, and Jeep Tops by 4 Wheel Drive Hardware ? Your Jeep Parts Source) sells POR15. They have a store on Glenwood in Raleigh, I'm going to stop there today and see if they have it in stock. I'll post back if I find it there.

From reading some threads in the Mud Paint and Body section, it sounds like I'm better off NOT sandblasting my frame - I'd just have to use etching primer to make it rough enough for the POR to adhere to. I'll read more about it but I think the best course is just to go over the frame with a wire cup / course sandpaper, degrease it, metal prep it, apply POR, prime, topcoat it with whatever color/finish you want. The last step is optional but sounds like it'd be worth it since it won't be down to the frame again (hopefully) anytime soon.
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Thanks for the follow up with 4wheelparts as a source.

After all my reading on the subject also, I'd agree that in most cases, it appears the POR is such a strong product that sandblasting isn't necessary. My case is a bit different since I'll be doing some rebuilding/replacing of frame components of this military trailer's frame that I want to see what I'm dealing with by removing all the rust...
 
Just called and 4Wheel Parts in Raleigh doesn't stock POR15 - gotta order it online.
 
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