Frame prep
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: new jersey
Frame prep
Hi guys,
I finally got my truck stripped to the frame and was wondering should i sand blast and primer it now or wait till i get all the welding done which will be a while considering i don't even have my ifs cross member yet and will be awhile before i can buy it. I am just tryng to prevent as much rework as possible, like painting the frame, grinding off the paint, welding in parts and painting again.
what should i do 
your friend Ernie
I finally got my truck stripped to the frame and was wondering should i sand blast and primer it now or wait till i get all the welding done which will be a while considering i don't even have my ifs cross member yet and will be awhile before i can buy it. I am just tryng to prevent as much rework as possible, like painting the frame, grinding off the paint, welding in parts and painting again.
what should i do your friend Ernie
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,423
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From: Clarksville,Tn
I will give ya my 2 pennies worth and recommend initial sand blasting and any prep paint will only make you resto much more easier; I'm with ya on repaint etc; but just getting the old stuff & grim will keep from exposing any new parts to include your IFS parts from getting cover with grinding & sanding particles as well as the old grim etc.
Mitch
Mitch
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: new jersey
Customcab,
thanks for your 2 cents!, i was leaning toward that way also just needed a little push! besides making job go easier i will also be moving forward too! i think? anyway thanks again for those valued 2 cent.
thanks for your 2 cents!, i was leaning toward that way also just needed a little push! besides making job go easier i will also be moving forward too! i think? anyway thanks again for those valued 2 cent.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
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From: Riverside, So Cal
Fever -
As long as you can store the frame out of weather to minmize rust, I'd recommend sandblasting it now. I would leave it bare. Finish the mods (IFS, etc) and then touch it up. I'd have to see how it fares with time. You will find small holes and cracks, etc that you'll want to deal with that you won't see if is left grimey. And it is much easier to deal with all clean and ready. Sand blasting is also great weld prep.
If I could, I'd powder coat the whole thing before assembly.
As long as you can store the frame out of weather to minmize rust, I'd recommend sandblasting it now. I would leave it bare. Finish the mods (IFS, etc) and then touch it up. I'd have to see how it fares with time. You will find small holes and cracks, etc that you'll want to deal with that you won't see if is left grimey. And it is much easier to deal with all clean and ready. Sand blasting is also great weld prep.
If I could, I'd powder coat the whole thing before assembly.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 163
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From: Everett, Washington
Speaking as a novice, I can tell you I did and what I'd do different.
I stripped the frame all the way down and power washed it using the highest psi washer I could find. Ended up with a fairly clean frame that was very workable. I then fit up the Cordaba front end completely, installed the center crossmember and as many pieces as I could. I then had it sand blasted and powder coated. Reassembly was easy except for the tight fit areas such as where the Gibbons crossmember slides over the original frame. It was a good fit before powdercoating but very tight after.
All that I'd do again the same way. The only thing I wish I had done different would be to do some surface prep before powdercoat. All the rust pits showed thru. Maybe if I painted it instead of powder coat the pits would have covered better.
Bottom line, fit up everything before you paint. Then you only paint once.
I stripped the frame all the way down and power washed it using the highest psi washer I could find. Ended up with a fairly clean frame that was very workable. I then fit up the Cordaba front end completely, installed the center crossmember and as many pieces as I could. I then had it sand blasted and powder coated. Reassembly was easy except for the tight fit areas such as where the Gibbons crossmember slides over the original frame. It was a good fit before powdercoating but very tight after.
All that I'd do again the same way. The only thing I wish I had done different would be to do some surface prep before powdercoat. All the rust pits showed thru. Maybe if I painted it instead of powder coat the pits would have covered better.
Bottom line, fit up everything before you paint. Then you only paint once.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 354
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From: australia
u will not regret sandblasting before starting work, it makes it easier to repair cracks and wear marks, instead of painting it, try a spray on product that will coat it and removes easily ,not sure of your brand names , but we have a few products that i use on frames that i have to fix, then when it's time to blast again, it won't cost very much because the hard bit is already done.
as for rust marks, if u powder coat the frame, remember at the temp they use lead will run, so use a filler that does'nt fail at that temp, or do as one of the other rod shops in town do, they block down the frame after powder coating, then have a second lighter coat applied, in doing this they fill all minor marks and the second coat blends fully into the initial coat.
just remember the more work u do with the sander removing all marks ,caused by age or your work, will save u money in the long run and don't powder coat or paint untill u have trial fitted everything, scratched powder coat is a real mungrel to repair and worse to clean off.
cya...gary
as for rust marks, if u powder coat the frame, remember at the temp they use lead will run, so use a filler that does'nt fail at that temp, or do as one of the other rod shops in town do, they block down the frame after powder coating, then have a second lighter coat applied, in doing this they fill all minor marks and the second coat blends fully into the initial coat.
just remember the more work u do with the sander removing all marks ,caused by age or your work, will save u money in the long run and don't powder coat or paint untill u have trial fitted everything, scratched powder coat is a real mungrel to repair and worse to clean off.
cya...gary
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 354
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From: australia
i've just thought, if u talk with the powdercoating company and tell them your plans they may beable to save u some money by doing a deal that covers blasting twice
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