A friend stopped by today while i was primering my frame for paint and from what he said it got me thinking. The way I'm doing mine is paint the frame and paint several pieces IE: cab and bed mounts and running board mounts then install them and give it all a second coat. My friend simply said put all those pieces on and paint and be done with it. Now personally i think painted surface to painted surface is a much better way to go so my question is whats your technique when doing the frame any thoughts or tricks? I am struggling with how to support the frame while painting, I'm glad i have an engine hoist.

 

I am sure either way would turn out fine. I have painted frames both ways. Did you sandblast or grind/wire-brush? Are you building a show truck/ultra-cool car-show truck/driver/rat-rod! I paint my vehicles with use in mind. I am not going to wet sand a frame for a driver. I however,have wetsanded many frames for ultra nice jobs.
I have a method of hanging my parts in front of my exhaust fan and filter and painting separately. I have assembled frames and primed them in 1 piece--but usually mask the crap out of areas not to see paint. It all comes down to how great a job you need. ...Bill

 

I'm with you Harry.

Paint it in pieces and then put it together. I'm even going to paint all the body parts seperate then assemble. I like a protective coat on all sides. I spent good money blasting the frame and good time prepping the frame, why waste it. Water (especially 70 mph water will find it's way in between pieces and start that brown/red dribble line down your frame. Do it the way YOU want to do it.

As for supporting the frame... I've got a rotisserie, so I don't have the problem. But my original plan was to fab up some 1.5" pipe stands with casters on the bottom and a flat plate on the top and bolt them to the frame at the bumper mounts. It will call for a little touch up later but it works...seen it done. Depending on room and resources, you could hang the frame at chest level from an A-frame or joist in the garage with chains and small hooks that will hook through a hole in the frame... there are plenty of those. probably the front and rear spring shackles would work perfectly. Then there is always the stack of milk crates...spray... wait for the dry on that side, turn it over ...pads installed and spray the bottom. Even with a rotisserie I've got to go back and do some painting after the initial coat, but just on the ends.

Are you really down to the bare frame or the frame and all the suspension attached ??? the less you have attached the better job you'll get.

Then the fun comes in. Trying to bolt it all up without scratching anything

gud luck
john

 

I was able to suspend my frame with the engine hoist one the front end and a pulley and rope system on the rear. I had to make sure all four were secured and even, but I was able to get under it and spray it. Please do not report me to osha. My truck is a driver so I sprayed mine with acrylic enamel. It will get scratched but a little touck up with a rattle can fixes the problem.

 

Ya just gave me my solution! I think the joists in the garage should handle it, Although the Volare crossmember is a bit weighty.

Yep bare frame. It's been blasted a coat of Ospho and primered with etching primer, Just have to primer the cab and bed mounts and running board mounts tomorrow so i can paint them at the same time i do the frame.

Same here just a cruiser/DD. I'm painting it with machenery/equipment acrylic enamel matte black.

 

I used two cheapy engine stands to make a rotissery for my frame. I cut a piece of channel iron to fit between the frame rails at both ends and welded a tab to bolt through. I then bolted this to the mounting plate of the stand. I have done alot of work and haven't had any trouble.

 

I am with Harley here. I plan to use two good stands (I already have one). I have painted several earlier frames by having a helper to flip it after painting one side but Willards frame is more to flip on sawhorses than I want.

 

Well the joist were a bit iffy so i put this together with my engine stand and hoist.

 

Looks like that works..

 

Wiz;

How can any self respecting truck hobbyist have a shop with no clutter ?

 

LoL, Thats the house garage. The other half has most of the clutter cause i'm gonna hang plastic down the middle when i paint it this weekend. If you want to see a mess i'll get a pic of my shop.