preferred prep and paint for frame, undercarrige parts?

[weps]

i have an extra frame lying around along with a fair amount of other parts. none of it is particualry special, but it is in decent shape without significant rust damage.

i'm thinking i'd like to clean them up and get some paint on before winter. my initial thought was to use wire cup brush to knock off the heavy stuff, then low grit sanding, and maybe some sandblasting if needed. then paint.

por15 is often mentioned as a good coating, but i've never worked with it and don't know how well it endures in the elements. is there an ideal way to prep and paint the underbody parts? and perhaps a good way that might not be super expensive? i don't know that i'll do anything substantial with this stuff immediately, but i'd like to make sure they don't deteriorate to the point of being worthless.

what kind of coatings? also, is black generally considered to be the best color choice? i thought some type of battleship grey might be interesting, but not sure.

 

[2badrotties]

I think you will find that most guys do the POR15 thing. Scrape, wire wheel, grind, sandblast - whatever it take. Use the POR15 along with the other products, marine clean and metal ready. That frame will stay like new for a LONG time. Same goes for any of your small parts.

 

[ballistic64]

If your going to spray it and have no immediate plans for the stuff just wire brush it and prime it dont waste your money on an expesive coating,chances are when you or someone else does do somethiing with it you - they will be welding - grinding on the frame anyway.
If you eventually do build a wheeler out of it,plan the chasis ahead get all your welding and grinding done -
shock mounts,trans mounts etc. then have it sandblasted and coated.

 

[71moore]

[quote author=2badrotties link=board=5;threadid=21983;start=0#msg169190 date=1063304391]
I think you will find that most guys do the POR15 thing. Scrape, wire wheel, grind, sandblast - whatever it take. Use the POR15 along with the other products, marine clean and metal ready. That frame will stay like new for a LONG time. Same goes for any of your small parts.
If you ask me
Go to local body supply shop, buy a can of ONE STEP
this isn't expensive and you don't have to remove all the rust. [/quote]

 

[Shubyjames]

Weps,
There is a very good product out there called Chassis Saver. It requires minimal work although sand blasting is preferred for prepping but not necessary. I agree with the advice given about planning so you would not have to disturb the finish by adding something or welding at a later date.

Check this product out—it is incredible!

http://www.magnetpaints.com/underbody.asp

 

[2badrotties]

There are a few good products out there. Try P M Industries they are near you in Pa. www.nomorerust.com

 

[Rustytruck]

Most real frame problems are rust inside from mud and dirt holding moisture. Get the frame off the ground and pressure wash the insides of the tubes and get all of the crap out so it can dry out properly and stay that way. Best money spent is sand blasting take it to the pros its a whole lot cheaper than you would think and then POR the out side and the inside ends of the bumper horns. Some may think it to be expencive but it just takes one good coat and no primers and stuff. Wire brushing sanding and painting a frame you are not going to use right away will get expensive and old very fast. As others have said repair whatever needs to be done first. Such as bumper ends and around the steering box and trac bar mount.