Best paint for bare steel A/C brackets

[MikeB]

I have a some fairly clean bare steel A/C compressor brackets I need to paint. How about some tips on paint types and brands that have held up well for you? Direct-to Metal top coats, primer + top coat, etc.

[basketcase]

I have gotten good results with the Rustoleum paint and primer in one can. I did some a/c and p/s brackets a few years ago and they still look fresh. Wipe them down thoroughly with a pre paint cleaner and scuff the parts with a 3M red pad so the paint can get a good bite, then wipe down again before spraying. Spray when the parts are in the recommended air temperature range and you will get a nice finish. But beware. I have had problems with Rust oleum running out of propellant lately when the can was still half full. I read that this is a problem in that brand but ignored it.

The last time I sprayed small black parts and brackets I used Behr Premium paint+primer from Home Depot. It sprays nicer than most and leaves a nice finish. Also. the can I'm using now feels empty but is still spraying.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by basketcase

The last time I sprayed small black parts and brackets I used Behr Premium paint+primer from Home Depot. It sprays nicer than most and leaves a nice finish. Also. the can I'm using now feels empty but is still spraying.

Is this what you used?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/BEHR-PRE...2144/310275636

[Sicklajoie]

Not interested in powder coating them?

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by Sicklajoie

Not interested in powder coating them?

Definitely a good idea, but a little expensive. Got a quote from a local shop to do a spare tire carrier. $75, but that did include bead blasting.

Maybe I should call them Monday.

[dagnabbitt]

I personally like this stuff for everything under the hood. Really lays down and looks nice.

https://www.amazon.ca/Dupli-Color-DE.../dp/B000GKAZEK

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by dagnabbitt

I personally like this stuff for everything under the hood. Really lays down and looks nice.
https://www.amazon.ca/Dupli-Color-DE.../dp/B000GKAZEK

Do you use it over bare metal, or with primer?

[dagnabbitt]

I 've used it on bare metal, but for a good finish I'd use their primer too. They also have a ceramic enamel satin clear coat to put over top that I've used.

https://www.amazon.ca/Dupli-Color-DE...001DKUTLG?th=1

[GSP7]

since you have to ask on a internet forum..... por15.....

[basketcase]

Originally Posted by MikeB

Is this what you used?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/BEHR-PRE...2144/310275636

yes,

[raggedjim]

Gregski did a couple spray bomb comparisons in the past.

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...ighlight=paint

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...ighlight=paint

[KMC3420]

For adhesion I would sand with 80 grit and then epoxy primer, if you can’t sandblast the brackets. I typically sandblast and epoxy. Even if you use rattle can, I would use a primer first. As the brackets sit now, you can paint them, primer first, and then color. However, it might turn into they look good, but the paint will come off by simply scratching with your fingernail. You likely already know that, but the paint has to have some kind of tooth to hold onto, sanding or blasting.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by KMC3420

For adhesion I would sand with 80 grit and then epoxy primer, if you can’t sandblast the brackets. I typically sandblast and epoxy. Even if you use rattle can, I would use a primer first. As the brackets sit now, you can paint them, primer first, and then color. However, it might turn into they look good, but the paint will come off by simply scratching with your fingernail. You likely already know that, but the paint has to have some kind of tooth to hold onto, sanding or blasting.

Good info, because I was thinking about using a scotch brite pad, which might not be coarse enough. Although 80 grit seems a bit too coarse.

Many years ago I used PPG greenish-gray epoxy primer on a rusty pickup bed that had been wire-brushed and coarse-sanded to knock off the loose rust. Followed that up with their DP primer. Then had a shop paint the entire truck with DuPont Centari enamel. 20+ years later there was still no rust peeking through, except in the areas that had been scratched by hauling stuff. Of course, similar products would cost 5-10 times as much these days.

[KMC3420]

Yep, epoxy primer from a spray gun being epoxy plus activator gives the best chance of longevity. Epoxy is my go to and is tough. You nailed it on the head though, the cost of everything is crazy these days. $60 for a quart of epoxy and activator. There are for sure cheaper routes, but it all depends on if it is just a quick paint it and get it installed or if it needs to be as nice as possible.

[DA71Grande]

I’ve had good results with either of these, both seem to hold up very nicely

[Mid-Pack]

Dupli-Color Self-Etching primer and Engine Enamel, when painting bare metal.

[A1971Blazer]

Eastwood and others have a 2 part epoxy primer in a spray can. You activate it with a punch valve on the bottom of the can.
I have used it several times.
The only drawback is that it's good for only 36 hours after activation.
If you only need part of the can, it wastes the rest.
It's a little pricey too.

[425HP409]

I have been using Napa Self Etching Primer #MS 7220 and Napa Chassis Black #MS 7243 for years. Everything from inner fenders, under hood metal, radiator support, brackets etc. for decades. It gives a nice semi gloss finish and holds up real well, for years. There is a lot of paint in each can and it lays down nice with multiple coats.
primer $14.41 list
paint $12.35 list

[MikeB]

I don't know how hot this bracket will get, but I may need to choose a paint that can withstand more than 250 degrees. The compressor will hide only the front half of the bracket. Not that my engine compartment is a showpiece!

[Mid-Pack]

Here`s a little info. I have the same brackets and they still look like new.

https://www.duplicolor.com/en/produc...t-with-ceramic

[howzzzit]

Rustoleum etching primer. I don't think anything black was factory semi-gloss. Could be wrong. I used Krylon RTA 9203 semi flat. It has a light sheen like original parts. Another light sheen paint is Rustoleum in canyon black. I've used both and they are very close. Rustoleum a better paint in my opinion. Cheap enough to sample and locally available.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by Mid-Pack

Here`s a little info. I have the same brackets and they still look like new.

https://www.duplicolor.com/en/produc...t-with-ceramic

Did you also use the primer?

[Mid-Pack]

Originally Posted by MikeB

Did you also use the primer?

Yes, I did. Give the parts a scuff and apply thin coats.

Dupli-Color does offer a low-gloss engine enamel, if that`s your flavor.

[Rust_never_sleeps]

I use Black Duplicolor rust fix under the hood, but my goal is for new parts to not look new and old parts to not rot off

[HO455]

I believe that the question should be, what is the best process to paint the brackets. The greatest paint in the world will fail with poor preparation.

Personally I have found cleaning the bare metal with wax and grease remover after scuffing with a red Scotchbrite is important. I follow with 2 coats of a quality self etching primer like Rustolem. Then top coat with a quality color of choice.

Now days I avoid the paint and primer in one products as I have found them to scratch easily.

I've used epoxy primers for larger projects but they require a higher level of PPE to use safely (unless your brushing it on) and for the type of project your looking at I haven’t found self etching primer to be substandard or lacking in performance. And epoxies usually have more restrictive coating and cure temperature ranges.

As always this is just my opinion which along with a sawbuck will get you a steaming hot cup of Joe just about anywhere.