Rust Resistance Drivetrain Painting?

[TheWhiteElephant]

Quality work all starts with proper surface preparation--meaning a very clean surface to start with. Depending on how much oil and grease are on the surface, start by degreasing the parts completely. Afterward, you can wash the surface with soapy water. If you have limited tools, just wire wheel everything to knock off the rust. You can use an assortment of wire brushes, coarse sand paper or discs and scrapers to help. After all the rust is off, clean the surface of any oil/grease that might still be on there. Paint thinner on a clean rag works very well.

After it all dries, you can definitely use Rustoleum. I've used it before on frames and other undercarriage and engine compartment parts with great success. I have painted axles with it using a brush with a Rustoleum quart and was very pleased with the final result. You can use spray cans or buy it in quarts and brush it on. Rustoleum is a very good product, especially for us budget-minded folks.

One thing about undercoating--it is very tough to remove, especially if it is the tar-based stuff. Soaking it with paint thinner and then getting on it with a scraper works very well.

The last thing I would highly recommend is that you use semi-gloss black as opposed to gloss black, especially on the chassis and undercarriage. Gloss paint brings out ALL the minor imperfections while semi gloss does a good job of hiding any imperfections in the surface. Semi gloss is the same as underhood black that Eastwood sells.