Frame questions

[Slewis2304]

Might be a stupid question...just like some feed back. Im about 90% sure i'm gonna go with powder coating on the frame. The other option is a paint. But was just wondering what you all think about doing it with a bedliner something like rhino lining or such. My thought process on it is that its durable stuff and if done right probably would really never have to be addressed again say 20 years down the road. Thanks for any input.

[BigDan3131]

Unless you can be 100% sure every single inch of it is covered in liner that little amount exposed can allow water to get underneath the liner and rust it out. Powder coating is fine for show cars, but if it chips you can't just fix it. I prefer Hammerite paint, its made with ground glass and aluminum and is super tough once fully cured.

[Rude Dude]

Powder coating is niece but pricey, if it is going to be a driver any good single stage paint is good, look at Sumitt they have a real good deals on black paint.

[hotrod1]

I wondered about this myself. According to many here on this site, Raptor lining is suppose to be great. Why not put it on the frame. I imagine it is up to your likes and dislikes. I would like to see what a frame looks like covered in this stuff.

[mknittle]

I agree with rude dude. I use a little less hardener when I mix the paint for the logging truck frame. It helps to prevent the "stars" where rocks hit the paint.

[Gene Sharp]

I really like Line X bedliner
I had the shop in Chickasha , Oklahoma do my bed
they used a high Gloss hardener
should work on frame also

Gene Sharp

[Slewis2304]

Thanks for all the input. as usual you are all great with info. my 90% has turned into 60 bed liner 40 paint. Been doing a lot of research on the raptor product. How many of you have used it, and how well does it hold up down the road.

[BIG CHEVY 3600]

I sandblasted then primed and painted with DuPont black epoxy. Re. bedliner, I agree it can cause rust problems. I have had a bed-liner rock chip before; I wouldn't trust it. I did coat my under carrage (cab,fenders, running-board) with Rhinolinner.

[pgf545]

We went with paint because it will be easier to fix later on if it gets damaged. Also I wasn't sure it all the welding and brackets where were they needed to be. Good luck with your choice either one will probably work good.

Bernie

[Slewis2304]

Did a little more digging...im off the bed liner hoarse. Gonna go with paint. Anybody use Eastwoods stuff?

[hotrod1]

how come?

[mr48chev]

Looks like I am a bit behind in seeing this but here's another vote for paint. There always seems to be something that we need to do to a frame later in the build and You can't redo powder coating and bed liner would be a pain in the keester to deal with on any later repair or modificaton.

And unless there is no local automotive paint supply shop that will sell to you I can't see the extra expense of paying for shipping on the paint.

I've been looking at industrial paint for my frame and intend to paint a piece of shop equipment that I have with some of it for a test to see how it holds up.

[Trucknut57]

I agree with paint on the frame. Biggest reason is cause I'm always changing something! With paint I can hit it with a wire wheel and do what I need to then re-paint. With powder coating, you better have the frame the way you want it before you powder coat cause you have to redo the whole frame if it gets damaged.

For my frame I went to Walmart and grabbed some of the Hammered paint in the quart cans and sprayed my frame. One guy even asked me if I powder coated my frame after it was done cause it look so good.

[Intimidator]

Por 15

[Slewis2304]

Hotrod1- my reasons are for the fact that if i do need to add a bracket or make other modifications to the frame down the road it would be a pain. Maybe if i was the guy down the street that thinks of everything before hand it wouldnt be a bad idea. I tend to forget and remember little things later on. I know i know cop-out. The guys do have a good point though.

Trucknut57- how long has the hamered paint been on...hows it holding up?

Thanks for input everybody. I know im way over engineering this whole frame paint thing, but i love to b.s and see what everybody's doing and different products being used. Just want to do it...and do it right. I'm probably just going to head down to the local body shop and see what i can get from them. Get this show on the road.

[hotrod1]

How about this? Do your build just the way you want it. Dont paint or powdercoat anything. Drive it for three months and make sure everything is OK. Add all the brackets that you want. They take it apart and powdercoat it when you know that is is dialed in. Yeah, I know, a lot of work but you will know that everything has been done right and fits good before doing anything.

If you do paint, do you sandblast before? I would think that this would be beneficial not just for paint adhesion but to smooth everything out.

[Trucknut57]

It's holding up pretty good, no chips or bubbling as of yet. I've had it painted for about 6 months and of course I've already had to add a few brackets and drill a few holes. So I just touch up the paint in those areas and it blends right in.

And as a plus with the hammered paint, it hides most of the imperfections in the metal.

[Slewis2304]

Hotrod1 i do plan on sandblasting everything from frame to body. I think im going to use the glass beads i hear it flows a little easier doesn't clog up. As far a putting it together and driving it then tearing it back down i plan on that anyhow, before i do body and paint work.

trucknut57- i think ill try that hammered paint on a press i just picked up at a grage sale...looken pretty sad(faded red).

[Trucknut57]

Heck, you could leave it bare metal in Nevada. Things don't rust there, they just get burried in the sand.

[Slewis2304]

yeah that's for sure....buried about "covers" it.

[Trucknut57]

I know. I used to live in Fallon.

Why use glass bead when you have all that free sand!