I'm planning to coat my frame with POR-15 within the next month or so. I read a lot that says you only need to topcoat if it will be exposed to direct sunlight. I'm only putting it on the frame and underside of the bed. Should I topcoat it?

If so should I use the POR Top Coat? Or can I use something a little lighter on the wallet and still get good results?

 

YES

You NEED to topcoat the frame. It does NOT need Direct sunlight for it to go till hell.

I am about to try Master Series on my "new" F350 to see how it does for the winter

 

What do you recommend I use to top coat it?

 

I never used a top coat on a frame after using POR-15. I have top coated bumpers by spraying on a primer while the POR is still tacky then painting color after the primer has dried.

The frames I've used the product on held up very well… seven years in the case of one of my F150's… but if you want to topcoat it go ahead.

 

I used to use Tractor Supply lo glare tractor black made by Valspar. But they dropped valspar and ant to Majic. I wouldn't use majic to paint a go cart.

I have since found PPG Chassis black called Gray Hills Semi Black ALK-200. It is PERFECT for frames. Sprays great, has the correct sheen and is chip resistant. And @ $40 a gallon, priced good too

 

Your "new" F350 Brad? Did you recently make a purchase?

 

I bought 97 F350 power stoke

 

when did you get this one? Any pictures or threads?

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...or-on-red.html

 

i used Valspar Tractor & Implement Enamel
(after a month or two,the shine dies way down under there and just looks clean black.doesn't stand out.)


https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...ump-bed-5.html

i skipped the por-15 and went with primer/Valspar Tractor & Implement Enamel for log truck too.
car quest carries it and no doubt you can find it online too.its been holding up great.better than the por in fact.

 

I'll probably order a gallon of the Valspar, that seems like the best option.

 

Better than POR15? Come one now. IIRC you log truck was Rust Free to start with and it doesnt go out in the weather. NOT really a fair way to judge paints

 

as shown the top pic though (with link) i touched up the por-15 after a couple winters and then used por's primer made to go over the por and then hit it with the valspar......this is on chip truck.the valspar took the winter roads like a champ.to be fair though,i stopped plowing all but my own yard so it wasn't on the roads as much either.plus the por was never top coated like it should have been.
it wasn't too bad.it took just a few mins and very little por-15 to touch it up.this is por after two winters;

by way of comparison,rustolium primer/paint only lasts 2-3 months and it's mostly gone under there.(that's when i decided to go with quality paints.)

right.log truck is a rust free 2wd that i also just hit (skipped the por) with valspar a couple months ago.for that truck,i expect that to last for several years between touch ups......if i ever even need to touch it up again at all.she's a April fools - thanksgiving rig.

 

por-15 coating with rustoleum top coats. We'll see what happens

 

When is the best time to topcoat it? Some say when it's still tacky. But I have read where others say to let it cure, sand it and then paint it?