View Poll Results: What to use?
Chassis Saver
1
11.11%
POR-15
3
33.33%
Undercoat/Bedliner
0
0%
Paint
5
55.56%
Voters: 9. You may not vote on this poll
Frame Coating
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 143
Likes: 3
From: Davie, NC
Frame Coating
I'm in the process of restoring a 1980 F-150 Ranger. The frame was pretty rusted when we pulled the bed off and the factory undercoat was pretty much non-existent.
I am wanting to make the frame look nice along with the rest of the truck. I have sanded down most of the rear portion of the frame and brushed on rust convertor.
We live in the south and it probably will never see any elements besides rain.I want to coat the frame in something that will hold up enough to survive rain. Right now it's between chassis saver, rustolem undercoat, or just painting it.
I know they're other forums on this topic but most of the are arguing about salt and snow. The truck will probably end up with a lift under it so a gloss black finish would probably look the nicest.
I am wanting to make the frame look nice along with the rest of the truck. I have sanded down most of the rear portion of the frame and brushed on rust convertor.
We live in the south and it probably will never see any elements besides rain.I want to coat the frame in something that will hold up enough to survive rain. Right now it's between chassis saver, rustolem undercoat, or just painting it.
I know they're other forums on this topic but most of the are arguing about salt and snow. The truck will probably end up with a lift under it so a gloss black finish would probably look the nicest.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,935
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
I say paint.
Under coat will have pin holes that water can get into and start rusting behind it till you have a hole.
Bed liner is so hick and you cant clean it.
The other 2 I have not tried/used but guess would stand out better than paint.
You used converter that's good and you can paint over it.
I also took the heavy rust off with a wire brush then used acid that does the same thing as the converter then painted over that to make it look pretty.
I was not going for a show truck job just something that looked good.
I used tractor supply paint and sprayed it on. Did the frame, front suspension, rear axle and springs all in the black.
Like you my truck will most likely see only rain, don't plan to drive in winter then again everything shuts down till ice/snow is gone. I do plan on driving/using my truck and may not get washed too many times once on the road.
Dave ----
Under coat will have pin holes that water can get into and start rusting behind it till you have a hole.
Bed liner is so hick and you cant clean it.
The other 2 I have not tried/used but guess would stand out better than paint.
You used converter that's good and you can paint over it.
I also took the heavy rust off with a wire brush then used acid that does the same thing as the converter then painted over that to make it look pretty.
I was not going for a show truck job just something that looked good.
I used tractor supply paint and sprayed it on. Did the frame, front suspension, rear axle and springs all in the black.
Like you my truck will most likely see only rain, don't plan to drive in winter then again everything shuts down till ice/snow is gone. I do plan on driving/using my truck and may not get washed too many times once on the road.
Dave ----
More Turbo
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 585
Likes: 11
I used Chassis Saver on mine. I scraped off all of the loose scale and wire brushed it, then washed it thoroughly with warm soapy water. After it was dry I brushed on a coat of Chassis Saver, then applied a second coat about two hours later. Chassis Saver, like POR-15, is not UV resistant so it will fade and turn to a chalky gray color if exposed to sunlight. So, while the second coat of Chassis Saver was still tacky I top coated it with gloss black Rust-Oleum Topside marine paint, which is UV resistant. After allowing that coat to dry for a full 24 hours I gave it a second coat. I'm very pleased with the results and so far its holding up really well.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,935
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
My job also does not work if snow/ice is on the ground so no need for me to take it out, besides I have a 4x4 as my DD.
So if I do take the truck to work it would be during the summer and that is when I might get caught in rain.
Dave ----
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 143
Likes: 3
From: Davie, NC
If it does it's probably not going out in it unless I decide against my better judgement. But I found this Dupi-Color Rust Barrier at NAPA which is alot closer than Statesville so I've been brushing that on today. Looks just like flex-seal.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...RoCEd0QAvD_BwE
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...RoCEd0QAvD_BwE
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 137
Likes: 9
From: Southwest Ohio
Rustoleum 7777. It is an oil based SATIN finish that is extremely durable. I mix it 50/50 with acetone in my gun and spray. It is an incredibly tough final finish. I have used it for several projects over the past several years with excellent results. It is not to thick, not to shiny and is very easy to clean. I use it on my Jeep restorations for the frames, differentials, skid plates, engine compartment, and anything else that needs to be satin black. The best part of it is the PRICE which is like 8.00 a quart. Before using it I always prep the surface properly and if there is surface rust I use a converter as well. Here is a picture of the finish on the bottom of my Jeep Cherokee.
After finishing the suspension I took the Jeep to my local ValueGuard dealer and had the double undercoat the bottom of the chassis. So far everything is holding up very well after running it in three Ohio winters.
After finishing the suspension I took the Jeep to my local ValueGuard dealer and had the double undercoat the bottom of the chassis. So far everything is holding up very well after running it in three Ohio winters.
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 917
Likes: 1
From: South Carolina
I voted for POR-15, but I would also use paint on top of it, simply because over time it will turn from shiny to dull and chaulky. POR does not like sunlight in particular.
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