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Painting that rusty frame [message #84570] Fri, 14 May 2010 14:38 Go to next message
Mike O'Connell is currently offline  Mike O'Connell   United States
Messages: 53
Registered: November 2008
Location: Deerfield MA
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Member
I just had my tanks out and noted that the frame was fairly rusty. I'd characterize the frame rails as being "pockmarked" and the rust comes off as a dust. Toward the rear it's a bit worse. Since I' not looking forward to having the tanks out again anytime soon I got a hold of some POR 15 rust paint and applied a couple coats to whaterver I could get to while the tanks were down. I also did up the tanks as they had some rust around the periphery.

Now POR 15 is pretty expensive stuff, 45 clams a quart/ 145 a gallon, and being something of a cheapie I looked around for other options. I picked up some SEM paint fitting the same job description as the POR 15 for considerably less ($25/qt $75/gal) though you need the $30 hardener to do it right. The hardener should last a couple gallons so it's still cheaper. It went on with a little less coverage than the POR 15, which stuck like glue to everything on the first swipe in a way I've never seen paint do before. Still, once dry the SEM stuff seems even harder than the POR 15 and both paints seem to work best on cratered rusty surfaces. Even though I treated the smooth metal surfaces with the proscribed acid etching stuff, some of the POR scraped off the tanks while I was abusing them trying to lift them with jacks to get them in (...by myself, ...on a patch of dirt ... in the rain.. etc, etc.)

I'm wondering if I am actually accomplishing anything here besides making myself feel good about having nice black frame rails. I can't, or rather haven't, gotten to between the inner and outer rails by the bogies where I understand bad things often happen.

Any comments or suggestions are welcome.


Mike O'Connell Deerfield, MA '75 Eleganza
Re: Painting that rusty frame [message #84572 is a reply to message #84570] Fri, 14 May 2010 14:44 Go to previous messageGo to next message
John Ruff is currently offline  John Ruff   United States
Messages: 213
Registered: July 2007
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 0
Senior Member

I have been painting my SOB frame with POR-15. It goes on super easy! The directions recommend using two coats.

In my case I hope one coat is enough!!!!


John Ruff
Chandler, AZ
1975 Eleganza
WA3RIG

If I use ZDDP in a new car - will the tappets go flat?
Re: [GMCnet] Painting that rusty frame [message #84577 is a reply to message #84570] Fri, 14 May 2010 14:54 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Steven Ferguson is currently offline  Steven Ferguson   United States
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 0
Senior Member
You can't make the frame new again but you stopped the rusting
process. If you ever remove your bogey castings, that is an area you
will want to do also.

On Fri, May 14, 2010 at 12:38 PM, Mike O'Connell
<moconnell2000@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> I just had my tanks out and noted that the frame was fairly rusty. I'd characterize the frame rails as being "pockmarked" and the rust comes off as a dust. Toward the rear it's a bit worse. Since I' not looking forward to having the tanks out again anytime soon I got a hold of some POR 15 rust paint and applied a couple coats to whaterver I could get to while the tanks were down. I also did up the tanks as they had some rust around the periphery.
>
> Now POR 15 is pretty expensive stuff, 45 clams a quart/ 145 a gallon, and being something of a cheapie I looked around for other options. I picked up some SEM paint fitting the same job description as the POR 15 for considerably less ($25/qt $75/gal) though you need the $30 hardener to do it right. The hardener should last a couple gallons so it's still cheaper. It went on with a little less coverage than the POR 15, which stuck like glue to everything on the first swipe in a way I've never seen paint do before. Still, once dry the SEM stuff seems even harder than the POR 15 and both paints seem to work best on cratered rusty surfaces. Even though I treated the smooth metal surfaces with the proscribed acid etching stuff, some of the POR scraped off the tanks while I was abusing them trying to lift them with jacks to get them in (...by myself, ...on a patch of dirt ... in the rain.. etc, etc.)
>
> I'm wondering if I am actually accomplishing anything here besides making myself feel good about having nice black frame rails. I can't, or rather haven't, gotten to between the inner and outer rails by the bogies where I understand bad things often happen.
>
> Any comments or suggestions are welcome.
> --
> Mike O'Connell
> Deerfield, MA
> '75 Eleganza
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>



--
Steve Ferguson
'76 EII
Sierra Vista, AZ
Urethane bushing source
www.bdub.net/ferguson/
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Re: [GMCnet] Painting that rusty frame [message #84585 is a reply to message #84570] Fri, 14 May 2010 16:02 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Dennis S is currently offline  Dennis S   United States
Messages: 3046
Registered: November 2005
Karma: 2
Senior Member

Mike,

I have seen several northern GMC's that had rust through in the front clip frame -- inside out. Bob D posted a photo of a suggested drain hole for the frame http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=19287&cat=4644

For impossible to reach places -- like inside the frames -- and for any area I want to treat but not paint I use Penetrol. It is available in the paint department -- places like Lowes. Penetrol can be brushed on, used in a hand pump sprayer or in a squirt bottle (like a plastic mustard bottle). It has the advantage that it will wick into areas -- like between the frame rails where they are doubled at the bogies. How far it will wick -- I do not know.

Thanks for the paint tips.


Dennis Sexton
73 GMC
Germantown, TN
USA



-----Original Message-----
From: Mike O'Connell <moconnell2000@yahoo.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Fri, May 14, 2010 2:38 pm
Subject: [GMCnet] Painting that rusty frame



I just had my tanks out and noted that the frame was fairly rusty. I'd
haracterize the frame rails as being "pockmarked" and the rust comes off as a
ust. Toward the rear it's a bit worse. Since I' not looking forward to having
he tanks out again anytime soon I got a hold of some POR 15 rust paint and
pplied a couple coats to whaterver I could get to while the tanks were down. I
lso did up the tanks as they had some rust around the periphery.
Now POR 15 is pretty expensive stuff, 45 clams a quart/ 145 a gallon, and being
omething of a cheapie I looked around for other options. I picked up some SEM
aint fitting the same job description as the POR 15 for considerably less
$25/qt $75/gal) though you need the $30 hardener to do it right. The hardener
hould last a couple gallons so it's still cheaper. It went on with a little
ess coverage than the POR 15, which stuck like glue to everything on the first
wipe in a way I've never seen paint do before. Still, once dry the SEM stuff
eems even harder than the POR 15 and both paints seem to work best on cratered
usty surfaces. Even though I treated the smooth metal surfaces with the
roscribed acid etching stuff, some of the POR scraped off the tanks while I was
busing them trying to lift them with jacks to get them in (...by myself, ...on
patch of dirt ... in the rain.. etc, etc.)
I'm wondering if I am actually accomplishing anything here besides making myself
eel good about having nice black frame rails. I can't, or rather haven't,
otten to between the inner and outer rails by the bogies where I understand bad
hings often happen.
Any comments or suggestions are welcome.
-
ike O'Connell
eerfield, MA
75 Eleganza
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MCnet mailing list
ist Information and Subscription Options:
ttp://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

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Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
Re: Painting that rusty frame [message #84591 is a reply to message #84570] Fri, 14 May 2010 16:59 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Luvn737s is currently offline  Luvn737s   United States
Messages: 1106
Registered: June 2007
Karma: 2
Senior Member
I used POR15 on some frame and radiator supports on a '55 Chevy I restored and what I do remember is DON'T GET IT IN ANY BOLT HOLES.

Randy
1973 26' Painted Desert
Ahwatukee (Phoenix) AZ
Re: [GMCnet] Painting that rusty frame [message #84594 is a reply to message #84585] Fri, 14 May 2010 17:26 Go to previous messageGo to next message
storm'n is currently offline  storm'n   United States
Messages: 492
Registered: April 2007
Location: Ont. Can
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Available in Canada, Rust Check at Can. Tire etc in spray cans, also Fluid Film which I believe is available in the U.S. is excellent for hard to reach places.
 Norm




Mike,

I have seen several northern GMC's that had rust through in the front clip frame -- inside out. Bob D posted a photo of a suggested drain hole for the frame http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=19287&cat=4644

For impossible to reach places -- like inside the frames -- and  for any area I want to treat but not paint I use Penetrol. It is available in the paint department -- places like Lowes. Penetrol can be brushed on, used in a hand pump sprayer or in a squirt bottle (like a plastic mustard bottle). It has the advantage that it will wick into areas -- like between the frame rails where they are doubled at the bogies. How far it will wick -- I do not know.

Thanks for the paint tips.


Dennis  Sexton
73 GMC
Germantown, TN
USA



-----Original Message-----
From: Mike O'Connell <moconnell2000@yahoo.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Fri, May 14, 2010 2:38 pm
Subject: [GMCnet] Painting that rusty frame



I just had my tanks out and noted that the frame was fairly rusty. I'd
haracterize the frame rails as being "pockmarked" and the rust comes off as a
ust. Toward the rear it's a bit worse. Since I' not looking forward to having
he tanks out again anytime soon I got a hold of some POR 15 rust paint and
pplied a couple coats to whaterver I could get to while the tanks were down. I
lso did up the tanks as they had some rust around the periphery.
Now POR 15 is pretty expensive stuff, 45 clams a quart/ 145 a gallon, and being
omething of a cheapie I looked around for other options. I picked up some SEM
aint fitting the same job description as the POR 15 for considerably less
$25/qt $75/gal) though you need the $30 hardener to do it right. The hardener
hould last a couple gallons so it's still cheaper. It went on with a little
ess coverage than the POR 15, which stuck like glue to everything on the first
wipe in a way I've never seen paint do before. Still, once dry the SEM stuff
eems even harder than the POR 15 and both paints seem to work best on cratered
usty surfaces. Even though I treated the smooth metal surfaces with the
roscribed acid etching stuff, some of the POR scraped off the tanks while I was
busing them trying to lift them with jacks to get them in (...by myself, ...on
patch of dirt ... in the rain.. etc, etc.)
I'm wondering if I am actually accomplishing anything here besides making myself
eel good about having nice black frame rails. I can't, or rather haven't,
otten to between the inner and outer rails by the bogies where I understand bad
hings often happen.
Any comments or suggestions are welcome.
-
ike O'Connell
eerfield, MA
75 Eleganza
______________________________________________
MCnet mailing list
ist Information and Subscription Options:
ttp://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

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Re: Painting that rusty frame [message #84611 is a reply to message #84570] Fri, 14 May 2010 19:29 Go to previous message
midlf is currently offline  midlf   United States
Messages: 2212
Registered: July 2007
Location: SE Wisc. (Palmyra)
Karma: 1
Senior Member
Mike O'Connell wrote on Fri, 14 May 2010 14:38

I just had my tanks out and noted that the frame was fairly rusty.

SNIP

Now POR 15 is pretty expensive stuff, 45 clams a quart/ 145 a gallon, and being something of a cheapie I looked around for other options. I picked up some SEM paint fitting the same job description as the POR 15 for considerably less ($25/qt $75/gal) though you need the $30 hardener to do it right.

MORE SNIP


, some of the POR scraped off the tanks while I was abusing them trying to lift them with jacks to get them in (...by myself, ...on a patch of dirt ... in the rain.. etc, etc.)

I'm wondering if I am actually accomplishing anything here besides making myself feel good about having nice black frame rails. I can't, or rather haven't, gotten to between the inner and outer rails by the bogies where I understand bad things often happen.

Any comments or suggestions are welcome.


I have used Chassis Saver

http://www.magnetpaints.com/underbody.asp

on the exterior of my gas tanks and abused the heck out of it while attempting to clean the interior. It has held up extremely well.


Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
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