Just got my chassis back from being repaired and am considering my options for painting it. I've had a quick search but am still not entirely clear (my previous painting experience is limited to a few gates). Essentially the new section (roughly scuttle forward) needs painting to mostly match the existing powdercoat on the rear.

Options as I understand it include:

1) Get someone else to paint it (not locost and I won't learn anything, so not so keen)
2) Paint with a brush or roller ( red oxide as primer? What for the top coat? Have seen tractol mentioned which has the benefit of coming in RAL colours to match the powdercoat)
3) Use a spray gun (Have got a compressor, but not a gun at the moment. What are the best paints and is it worth it over hand painting?)

Thanks in advance for all your advice.

Oli

For the chassis it's not worth spraying as most of the paint will end up on the floor.

Roller (using a mini gloss foam roller) works well and is quicker than a brush.

As for paint it really doesn't matter so long as it sticks well and keeps the water out. Something that can be touched up is a sensible move. Tractol is good stuff, they use it on tractors and plant so it's tough enough
Red lead is ok as primer. Make sure you degrease the chassis before painting.

Just one thing, DON'T be tempted to use Hammerite/Smoothrite - it's crap for a chassis (too brittle and it chips off letting the water in) excellent for rusty gates though.

I ended up stripping the crap powdercoating from my chassis, blasting followed by 2 coats of POR15 from Frost's followed by their
Hardnose top coat. Applied by brush leaving virtually no brush marks, easily touched up and hasn't chipped in 4 years of use, unlike the powder coating

Thanks.

The existing powder coating is in decent condition, so I will leave that as it is. The painted area will only be in the engine bay area, so shouldn't really be visible.

Do I need to get a wire brush/similar on it so the primer will stick?
What's the best bet for degreasing it before hand?

Oli, I've been researching paint options a bit recently. .what I think I've picked up is

1. primer, some say red oxide ( also referred to as red lead), some say an acid etch primer, some say use POR15 or other ' direct to rust' paints. some swear by epoxy magic 121.
2. 'chassis black' is a generic for a top coat paint which can be used, standard application seems to be trucks / plant though, so some say it is too dense/ heavy duty...
3. a variety of appropriate top coats exist, from standard household gloss and a variety of coach paints, I've seen both tekaloid and tractol mentioned)
4. Prep is key, petrol or thinners can be used to de grease, then wipe off with water
5. '2k' or '2 pack' paints are good, but need special ppe (ie air feed breathing mask)
6. brush application is ok, but mini rollers are better and can get a nice finish
7. air brush application gets a better finish, but wastes paint on chassis applications

doesn't give you one neat answer, but summarises what I've picked up across reading a lot of different threads...

and for prepping bare metal/ rubbing back wire brush is good and also scotchbrite pads, although I have no idea what they are yet...!

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Originally posted by jps
and for prepping bare metal/ rubbing back wire brush is good and also scotchbrite pads, although I have no idea what they are yet...!

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Originally posted by OliilO
Thanks.

The existing powder coating is in decent condition, so I will leave that as it is. The painted area will only be in the engine bay area, so shouldn't really be visible.

Do I need to get a wire brush/similar on it so the primer will stick?
What's the best bet for degreasing it before hand?

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brake cleaning solvent is also and excellent degreassing agent, and is often very locost

hth

I've just had my chassis shot blasted and when i took it the guys were painting offshore parts for oil rigs and primed my chassis with it..

I've been looking at 2 pack paint for boats and what not from here...

http://www.paints4trade.com/top-coat-paints-123-c.asp

I've not decided which one to use yet tho..... can't make my mind up!

Maybe this one??

http://www.paints4trade.com/2-pack-acrylic-high-solids-top-coat-paint--hardener-1091-p.asp

[Edited on 23/6/13 by coozer]

Slightly delayed reply, but thanks all. I'll give it ago this weekend and see what happens! Most likely going to be some kind of red oxide primer and tractol top coat combination.

11 years after wire brushing with the angle grinder then de-greasing with brake cleaner, painting with Screwfix red-oxide with a couple of coats and then painting with Homebase exterior black gloss couple of coats there is no rust on my chassis!

I did put extra coats of both red oxide and top coat on what I considered the 'exposed' areas just to be sure. But it still looks good.

Cheers,
James

quote:

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Originally posted by OliilO
Slightly delayed reply, but thanks all. I'll give it ago this weekend and see what happens! Most likely going to be some kind of red oxide primer and tractol top coat combination.

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In the end I wire brushed the chassis, decreased it with some brake cleaner and then used two coats of Screwfix red oxide followed by two of Tractol.

I managed to match the Tractol with the existing powder coating through their RAL chart, which was ideal.
I achieved a pretty decent finish with a mini foam roller. There are few drips, thick spots and a brush stokes in places where I touched things things up, but overall i'm happy with the finish.

As mentioned in one of the other topics, I found that I chipped a few bits of Tractol off when test fitting wishbones and other parts but it seems to be fine now - I just touched up these parts with a brush.

Hope that helps.

7 months later than I had hoped I finally did some chassis painting...!!!

Currently got two coats of POR15 down and it seems OK. Slightly peeved to discover that POR have switched their products and now suggest a primer between their rust proof paint and a top coat, so will be ordering some of their 'old' blackcote paint today as Frost still seem to have it in stock for now...

Found the best degreaser to be Fairy Washing Up liquid and brush to be better than roller despite recommendations to the contrary. Perhaps I had a crap roller...