Frame Finishes: What are you using and why?

[72BlckButy]

Okay guys, I've read tons and tons of posts about all the different types of refreshed frames and now I'm trying to determine the best avenue for my project, and yours.

So what are you guys finishing your frames up with and why?

With the list of products available, the selection is tough to narrow down. From powdercoating, POR-15, paint, rattle can, and so many more, I'm curious which is the best overall finish. I know each project has it's own plan, (daily driver, show and go, drag,...) but I'm looking at a general thread where people can refer to other members experiences and help them decide on their own projects.

Here's a few ideas I've picked up from previous posts:

Powdercoat: tougher than paint, multiple color choices, still has the chance of being chipped and rusting out
Paint: numerous color choices, chipable, but cheaper to repair than powder
POR-15: cheaper than powder, comparable to paint, has the tendency to "milk" the color if visible to the sun (engine compartment, during the build process)
Rattle Can: cheap, easy, but not for a 100% show vehicle
Other: rhino lined, undercoating,..... I don't know much about these

Post your experiences, cast your vote, and we'll see how this goes!

[special-K]

Mine was a cleaned,painted,and assembled frame when I got it.It had primer over spray and body shop dust all over it.I pressure washed it and sprayed it with Plasticote Dull Black Engine Paint because it was what I could get that day.It looks like the factory under the hood black and I`m sure it`s tough and resistant to fluids.It looks like brand new.
I`ve had alot of luck with Implement Paint from TSC.
There`s POR-15 type coatings with UV protection.
Powdercoat is nice on a total tear-down and so are those coatings like POR-15.

[68gmsee]

Haven't done mine yet, but I'm leaning to having it sandblasted or cleaning it as much as possible and using Rustoleum or similar primer and paint.

I've had pretty good luck on other equipment with it and it can easiy be touched up if is starts to chip in the future. Plus it's cheaper.

[my67chevytruck]

I spoke to my buddy who owns a paint and body shop. Since we are building a driver for my son, we will spray with SEM self-etching primer, then follow up with Chassis black. I am told this will hold up nicely. My son and i will be spraying the frame this weekend , so hopefully have pics up soon.

[BarryB]

Mine hasn't been done yet, but I have decided to go the cheap route. I am going to go to tractor supply, and get the black enamel they have. And primer also. I have had pretty good success on other things that have been painted with that paint. It hold up pretty good, and where it is a oil base, it seems to block and stop rust.

[Ackattack]

I sand blasted my frame myself, then sprayed 2 coats of POR 15 flat black, then sprayed 1 more coat of POR 15 chasis black. The chasis black is UV resistant so it won't chaulk like I've heard the flat black will.

I did this cause I could do it at home, and it was relatively cheap. Plust, I can touch it up if I need to.

[LockDoc]

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I sandblasted my frame and coated it with POR-15. I wanted to try it so this was a good chance. I brushed it on and it flowed out really nice. It sat outside for three or four weeks while I was cleaning up the other components and it did start to chalk and turn dull on top. As mentioned above it can be top coated with a UV stable paint. Another option is Rust Bullet. I used it on a new deck I built for the lawn mower and it seems to be holding up pretty well.

LockDoc

[tinkerdad]

I applied Rust Bullet just to try something different. When I got down to my frame I had more oil/grease and road grim than rust. I sand blasted my frame and applied the Rust Bullet. It goes on thick and requires a second coat within twenty-four hours. I spent a lot of time grinding the drips and runs. The finished texture is not as smooth as I would have liked. I do think it will be tough. If I could do it over I would powder coat. Working out the time between sand blasting and getting to the powder coater was my biggest issue as to why I did not powder coat. I’m not knocking Rust Bullet, it’s just messy and time consuming.

[pocketpool]

i'm powdercoating mine.

[71BB_LWB]

Eastwoods underhood Black from a spray gun. looks great and is very durable.

[SactoJim]

After a good cleaning and prep, I just use a good DTM (direct to metal) black epoxy. Most usually dry to a nice semi-gloss finish and are plenty durable for the frame.

[msgross]

I used this www.nomorerust.com like POR-15 but they have a UV safe AG111 kit as well. Cheap, does a great job and I applied it with a foam brush.

You would think it's powdercoat as hard and smooth as it is. I had my frame blasted and used the sealer and paint, two coats in four nights...

[lyrikz]

Im using por 15 because it comes out soooo smoooth and shiny.. I tried rust bullet but it is rough and ****ty looking. Didnt like it....

[norwegianc10]

Jotun Hard-Top Black. Jotun is a Norwegian brand, and the Hard Top gives a hard yet flexible fininsh, it doesnt chip off it get hit by rocks etc. Almost like body spray, but not sticky

[steelhorse]

Im using eastwoods ceramic chassic black.Relatively cheap and tough and easy to fix

[smn69]

This is my first time at this and I decided to use por-15. Very happy with the results. Tough finish and brushes on real nice and easy. Just don't get any on your skin, it has to wear off.

[stunna]

im gonna have mine sandblasted then primered with a self etchin primer then painted body color (kandy orange) i am building a show/ weekend driver.

[68GMCCustom]

Originally Posted by steelhorse

Im using eastwoods ceramic chassic black.Relatively cheap and tough and easy to fix

this is the way I'm leaning for mine.

[Hart_Rod]

POR 15 on mine.

[bad6772]

After a good power washing and Wire brushing (hooked to a die grinder)....I used POR.15 chassis black..As soon as that was tacky i followed it with 3 coats of Speice single stage black.......Followed by 3 coats of clear......It has a great shine,and imo it will last forever..

[lolife99]

Good thread, Nate. Anyone that has powdercoated,... how much did you spent to do the entire frame?

[cheford]

I used Eastwood's rust converter,rust encapsulator and extreme chassie black on a sandblasted frame, don't know how well it will stand up because it will be years before it ever sees the road.Oh ya, forgot to mention that it was all sprayed on out in my yard while on my rotisserie.
John

[my67chevytruck]

a couple of quotes i got from this area were about 325.00 -350.00 to sandblast and powercoat the bare frame. but may be higher as this is a vendor by friend uses for his shop.

[cparman]

It is interesting to me that powdercoat is not number one. I do not see any of us flipping trucks or blazers. My last car ( yes I flipped it ) was ALL powdercoat. I do not know how many times I put my Chevelle on my lift and wiped everything off. It was easy, and looked as new when I finished. Yes I know it is more expensive than paint, but what is our time worth

[cobrajet21]

I used wire wheels and stripping wheels to clean mine then DA and hand sand with 80 grit. sprayed on rust encapsulator and will use either extreme chassis black or ceramic chassis black when I paint it.