Body off need imput please

[doonjumper]

Well you know how it goes........a simple engine rebuild turns into a body off resto project right? I would like your imput as to what I may want to do to the frame now that I have the body off. My plans are to powder coat the frame and diff's. I've already done the basic steering box frame brace, and shackle flip. Ive been out of the 4X4 scene for bout 5 years now. So I'm sure I've missed ALOT. Anyways your advice and imput on would greatly be appreciated.

 

[Desert Rat]

I did the same thing. I also welded in a frame brace around the steering box mount and welded up cracks. Ideally you have it professionally stripped and painted with auto paint. However, I went with POR-15, which I swear by. I am not a fan of powdercoat for anything that is going to be taking hits periodically. I want something I can just dab paint back on where it gets a boo boo. As you, I also did the shackle flip. I also used POR-15 on my axles with a POR-15 top coat. They still look great after a few years of beating on them. If I had to do it again, I would probably weld in a cross brace up by the bumper for a little added support. I bolted on a 4x4 Iron bumper which is pretty stout and probably could have used a little reinforcement on the frame.

 

[sweetk30]

most shops cant or dont know how to do powder coat 100% correctly.

with that go por 15 or some kind of paint system like that. you will be better off in the end.

 

[cdoggwsu]

Chassis Saver, my new favorite protective coating.

If it's good enough for Ted Nugent, that's good enough for me.

 

[Desert Rat]

Looks a tad bit more complicated than POR-15. I wonder if it makes it better or not.

 

[cdoggwsu]

Looks a tad bit more complicated than POR-15. I wonder if it makes it better or not.

Complicated? I just prepped like you would for any paint and did 3 coats on the floor of the cab in my K5. It's pretty tough stuff, with just floor mats and no carpet it's been on for a year without a scratch.

 

[doonjumper]

I appreciate all the ideas.

 

[Steve GMC]

if your gonna paint it do rust bullet then blackshell (if you want it black) ive had bad experiences with por15... i didnt know you have to do steps b4 you actually apply por15... rust bullet is right over rust, bare metal, w/e. i love the stuff. i did my frame,axles,floors,undeside of cab/bed... (in the process of a 2 year body off myself). just take your time, i wanted the thing done by the time i was able to drive and here i am a year after and im still not done but im not halfassing anything... its all about the details

 

[Desert Rat]

I thought I read in the website that you had to mix in hardeners with the chassis saver, maybe I was reading some other product they made. As for POR-15 needing prep, actually they tell you the worse the rust, the better it works. I can say that I used it on both a very prepped frame and it worked great. Then I used it on a very rusted axle with no prep, and it stuck like crazy and is still on there very good. Not sure what happened to yours.

 

[Blue85]

Looks a tad bit more complicated than POR-15. I wonder if it makes it better or not.

I didn't think there was anything more complicated than POR-15. You strip/brush, do Marine Clean, Metal Ready, POR-15, then Blackcoat. Then you go back in 2-3 years, peel it all off in strips and then start over again.

 

[cdoggwsu]

Nope, no hardeners or mixing. Just stir it well and go. It's moisture cured so the warmer and more humid the air is, the quicker it will set.

I read a number of accounts where it has held up better than POR15 and mine has held tough for over a year now, so we'll see if that continues.

 

[viperrgh2]

I'm currently going through the same process. I'm stripping everything down to bare, axles frames ect. Painting with chassis saver and then installing new fuel lines, ss brake lines, fuel tank, everything electrical ect. ect.