Alternative to the standard rattle can paint

[Greg]

I've had a few projects that I needed to paint and was looking for an option somewhere between the rattle can and powder coating. Usually I use regular Rustoleum paint, but over time rust ends up making it's way thru and something that was bare steel, ends up looking pretty crappy. I have a large, bare steel roof rack that I need to cover this next week and don't have the time for powder coating, but wanted something that would hold up to the elements. I went to a local paint shop looking for a primer/sealer in a spray can, they had one option and it was an 2 part epoxy primer/sealer that cost $15 a can! You'd still have to paint over that, since it was primer red. The guy mentioned that the epoxy did a great job sealing and sticking to the metal. I ended up leaving empty handed, heading to Lowes to look for a primer/sealer.

I ended up finding an epoxy meant for appliances and figured I'd give it a shot on some smaller items that needed paint. They were $4/can and didn't need a 2nd coat of the actual paint, but the only color options were either black or white, glossy in both.

I tested it out on a bracket for a CB antenna and a spare wheel. The wheels on my Land Cruiser were powder coated flat black and they look great. This spare wheel is glossy, but at least it's not the stock silver color.

I'm not claiming this is an alternative to power coating, but less important rattle can jobs. Time will tell how it holds up to the sun/elements... I'll be sure to update this. I will also post pics of the roof rack as it comes together.

 

[Kevin B.]

That looks great. Now you should hit that wheel with a rock a couple times and see how it holds up.

 

[Greg]

That looks great. Now you should hit that wheel with a rock a couple times and see how it holds up.

It's getting a tire mounted on it later today, so I'm sure the guy running the tire machine will give it a good test. I don't doubt that the steel tire tools will scratch up the aluminum wheel.

 

[Stephen]

Intriguing...

 

[rockdog]

I've actually used that stuff quite a bit. It seems to hold up better than the regular rustoleum. It isn't bullet proof though.

 

[jeeper]

I've been looking for something better than the rattle can also. I usually end up repainted my home made trailers yearly to keep the looks up. It will be very Interesting to see how this stuff does!

 

[Greg]

I've actually used that stuff quite a bit. It seems to hold up better than the regular rustoleum. It isn't bullet proof though.

Does it keep bare steel from rusting thru? That's my main concern. If I wanted bulletproof (or close to it) I'd have these things powder coated.

I've been looking for something better than the rattle can also. I usually end up repainted my home made trailers yearly to keep the looks up. It will be very Interesting to see how this stuff does!

I'll be sure to update this thread.

 

[rockdog]

No, it won't keep it from rusting in the long run. It seems to take longer though, before it does. I've mostly painted wheels with it.

 

[BCGPER]

For trailers, I might have stumbled on something. Mine needed yet another redo. As luck would have it, my pressure regulator crapped out and I needed to be in Moab in two days. I brushed the white paint on.

It was just basic ho depot rustolium. I dunno if it is the white, or the brushing, but it still looks good after nearly 10 years.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Caleb]

We used to brush por15 on then give them a rustoleum top coat. This would prevent rust (por15) and the rustoleum would help with the UV protection that por15 lacks. With that treatment, even our stuff that was out at the GSL would look good for many years.

 

[jeeper]

Greg, how has the appliance paint held up so far? I've got a project coming up...

 

[Greg]

Greg, how has the appliance paint held up so far? I've got a project coming up...

So far, so good! The CB antenna mount looks good, the roof rack had a few places where paint was scratched off and the bare metal is rusting a little. Otherwise, it seems to be holding well and sealing good... better than standard spray paint, IMO.

 

[MikeGyver]

If I want paint to not come off I always use Dupli-color self etching primer (olive drab in color). This solves the paint coming off the metal issue.
You can't even scratch the stuff off with your fingernail a few minutes after it's sprayed on. It's also wet-sandable for really fine finishes.

 

[Greg]

The places this paint came off are due to a spare tire being bolted to the roof rack, then rattling the spare all to way down thru Baja and some of the B1K race course... so it's not like it was just flaking off. There was a legit reason for the paint to come off the metal. But I'm sure etching primer would have helped!

 

[jeeper]

Update on the appliance paint??

Has the hotter sun had any affect?

 

[Greg]

Sold the Land Cruiser that had all the appliance paint on it, so hard to say anymore. But when it went, the plaint was still holding out and still had a great shine, no fading whatsoever.