the black step bumper on my box truck is rusting, and when it is raining i can’t park it in a customer’s driveway or else it will stain the concrete. i know this how? i’ve wanted to paint it for some time, and now that it is getting a bit warmer would like to have at it. the question is, what is the best primer and finish paint (black gloss) for this application, and are there any special tips for painting rusted metal? i’ve heard of a product that transforms the rust into a primer or something, but a regular tried and true technique that won’t scale or peel would be even better. if there are any recommendations for a durable floor paint for the wood bed of the box, that’d be awful kind of y’all as well. thanks in advance….
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There is a special primer for rusted metal. It's sold under several brand names, but they are all essentially the same. They actually convert the rust chemically to a hard, black material. These work quite well, but must be painted, and sometimes there is a problem with getting good paint adhesion on them. They don't work well on metal that isn't rusty, so you'll need regular metal primer as well.
If you don't use one of the rust converting primers then you need to remove ALL the rust before priming with a standard metal primer.
You might consider an epoxy paint for the bumper and bed. Otherwise, an alkyd primer and acrylic paint for the bed would probably be best.
aw,something i finally know about-been doing bodywork for 30 yrs.first of all i'm trying to picture how bad the rust is to spot a driveway?it must be really bad,there are products out there that will help clean the rust but if your bumpers are that bad i can see you spending 35-50 just in materials. would it be possible for you to remove the bumper and have it sandblasted? that will absoulutly prep it, but i question if it's that rusty if you can get the bumper unbolted. next option if there are some aftermarket truck accssesory places in your neck of the woods you might ask if the have a new takeoff,they will usally sell one for 25.00. now i'll tell you what i'd do if the truck is over 4-5 years old and i just wanted to clean it up a little. i'd get me a couple pcs. of 220 grit wet or dry paper, grab the garden hose and some dishwashing soap and sand on it for 15 mins,go to a tractor supply place and get a qt of enamel paint and paint it,won't last forever but will probaly last a couple years and i'd do it again.have fun larry
ok-so i remove all the scaly rust, spray and brush some of that rust conversion stuff on, use another primer as per recommendation on the rust conversion stuff, then use a gloss black enamel from the tractor place, and spray and brush that on as many coats as makes me satisfied with the finish. how does that sound? if i hear nothing else, it must be ok, and it is on you guys if not.
For quick and dirty, I usually wire brush the item and then use Rust-O-Leum rusty metal primer and black spray enamel. The problem is that is just paint and and some will get scraped off the first time you brush up against a concrete wall or another car when parking. Probably the most durable would be to take it to a place that does powder coating and have it done. Don't know how expensive, however.
You got it.
The follies which a man regrets the most in his life are those which he didn't commit when he had the opportunity. [Helen Rowland]
A fine product by Eastwood is "Rust Encapsulator" which used to go by the name "Corroless." It transforms the rust and can be brushed or sprayed. You will be surprised by how well it brushes on and levels out. Premium product and costs about $18 a pint or $27 a quart. Comes in a spray can too for $20. Worth every penny! Eastwood can be reached at 1-800-345-1178 or http://www.eastwoodcompany.com I painted rusted metal on a 10 year old trailer frame and was very satisfied.
Just a thought but.... I bought a couple of gallons of Herculiner truck bed liner to do my utility body with. Had some left over so I did the step bumper as well. What a difference it made. Just used a wire brush in the angle grinder first. Nice no slip surface. The finish is alot like granular ice/water shield. Kinda steep at $90/gal though. Check out their website if you're curious, it will probably answer any questions you might have.
body shops and some parts places have a product called osglo,paint it on it kills the rust when it turns white you can paint over it or rinse it off.first saw and used it in the marines -salt water etc we gots gallons hahah jokin aside though good stuff
I think the product you refer to is Ospho. Found in automotive paint stores. It is phosphoric acid, and is used to prep clean or slightly rusted metal for paint adhesion. I am not a fan of Ospho. I like acid based primers or epoxy primes better. Even with Ospho, you need to remove all scaley rust first.
Frank DuVal
If you ever get Gemplers catalogs they always have a product in there for that too. Their ad picture is a honey wagon that they treated and painted half of. The pic sure makes it look like a heck of a product (of course)
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