Whats the best way to paint a Truck frame?

[DAVID2347]

I am rebuilding a 1994 Chevy 1/2 ton truck. I have the frame sandblasted and in now in need of advice. Do I need to prime it before I paint it? And whats the best kind of Primer/ Paint for a frame? P.S. I will not be a daily driver.

[slideways...]

chassisblack.

[curtis73]

POR15 makes incredible products, but they're actually not recommended unless its rusty. I asked them if it worked well on bare metal and they actually suggested I roll the frame out and let it get a little surface rust. Its specifically designed to key into rust.

Eastwood makes equally incredible products and they have a full line of frame paints.

Look into having it powdercoated. Its more affordable than you think and more durable/stable than paint.

And yes... always follow recommended priming procedures. Primer sticks to metal, paint sticks to primer. Paint doesn't stick to bare metal as well and won't give you the durability you could have with proper priming

[DAVID2347]

I was looking into powdercoating it but where I live theres only one place that does it so its not that affordable. I will look in to the Chassisblack. Thanks!

[GreyGoose006]

I second powdercoat
you could always use that truck sprayon Bedliner stuff. Its pretty durable as well

[GreyGoose006]

I second powdercoat
you could always use that truck sprayon Bedliner stuff. Its pretty durable as well

[J-Ri]

When I painted mine, I just used permatex spray-on rubberized undercoating on top of high-zinc primer. I used one coat of primer and 5 coats of undercoating. I hit it HARD with a baseball bat to see if it would withstand impacts (offroading truck), and it made an indentation, but didn't expose any metal or primer. The undercoating turns grey if exposed to sunlight long-term (bare frame sitting outside for over a year), but they say it is paintable.

I used that spray-on bedliner for a custom bumper I made, and it chipped off in several spots. As far as I know, nothing even had a chance to hit it before it chipped.

[GreyGoose006]

it might make a difference how the bed liner is done. I imagine a professional spray gun > paint brush.

[J-Ri]

That could very easily make a difference, as I used an aerosol can... but if it chips that easily, you'd think they'd stop selling it.

[GreyGoose006]

nope.
i once painted a bike with spraypaint.
paid $50 on paint and $20 on clear coat.
it started chipping in about 3 weeks.
i did everything according to the directions.
the paint was dupont automotive paint too.

[J-Ri]

hmm... I think that's the brand I used for the bedliner. A trend perhaps?