I Painted my floor pans, Rust bullet+single stage urethane

[Bigb55]

Decided to go with new carpet instead of bedliner. But wanted some good water resistance on the floors. Front had all rust cut out from previous repairs. Cargo pan still had perfect factory Grecian bronze paint and zero rust.

Scuffed it all up then put down 4 coats of rust bullet. Made a 1/2" to 1" edge on the edges. Then coated it all with a single stage urethane in summit white.

Came out pretty nice! Definitely will keep water off the metal and out of the seams as much as possible. This is a cruiser not an offroader so any big leaks will be dried a day or two after it happens.

 

[Bigb55]

And for anyone interested, Rust Bullet is a moisture cured urethane. It has a 12-24 hr window for top coat without scuffing. Putting another moisture cured urethane on top allows them to bond really well. Its very scratch and chip resistant under normal use.

The only other options better then this combo is 2k epoxy and urethanes. Which is most two stage bedliner kits.

The catalyst provides more durability but the water proofing/moisture barrier is the similar between single and 2k. I built up the thickness to provide more scratch resistance.

4 coats rust bullet + 2 coats single stage provided pretty good mil thickness. Makes for a good alternative to bedliner for lighter use.

Also of any repairs are needed, it's far easier to touch up.

 

[muddybuddy]

Good to know. I may do something similar when I do new carpet kit. Any reason you didnt do the wheel tubs and sides?

 

[Bigb55]

Good to know. I may do something similar when I do new carpet kit. Any reason you didnt do the wheel tubs and sides?

The wheel tubs and interior sides were painted when the previous owner did the color change. It has 2k epoxy & urethane primers and then topped with a BC/CC. So new paint was not really needed at this time in those areas

 

[bigblock454]

Can this is used over surface rust kinda like POR15?

 

[Bigb55]

Can this is used over surface rust kinda like POR15?

Sure can! It adheres best to rough surfaces. Rust bullet actually needs less prep then POR15. Hit the surface rust with a wire wheel or flap disc, wipe away any grease, then apply Rust Bullet.

It flows into the tiny crevices and pits to bind to the metal. Then it uses moisture as it's curing agent, so it pushes the moisture to the top as it cures. Once cured it forms a hard protective shell that creates a barrier to keep out water and oxygen.

Similar system as POR15, The difference is Rust Bullet has high zinc and aluminum solids content. Which helps with corrosion resistance if scratched.

Chasis Saver silver is similar to Rust Bullet.

 

[Bigb55]

And as for the amount of Rust Bullet needed. 1 pint covered the whole cargo area and front tub with the first heavy coat. 1.5 pints would be perfect for under a bedliner application.

I used 3 pints for 4 coats. Each coat was lighter then the one prior. Took 1 hr between coats. Got to make sure the previous coat has room to "breath" as it cures.

I probably would have been fine with 2 pints. But I opened the third and once it's opened, that's it, you use it or lose it. So I just used it up.

 

[bigblock454]

Thanks for all the info, going to get some and give it a shot!

 

[Joel Wilson]

Single stage urethane is really tough stuff and does not fade. I have painted many tractors and a Kenworth transfer and trailer with urethane and only now is the KW beginning to chip and it has been 5 years of everyday rock plant abuse.

Joel
norcal

 

[Bigb55]

Single stage urethane is really tough stuff and does not fade. I have painted many tractors and a Kenworth transfer and trailer with urethane and only now is the KW beginning to chip and it has been 5 years of everyday rock plant abuse.

Joel
norcal

Another good paint is industrial oil based acrylic enamels. I used rust-oleum farm and tractor paint to do my undercarriage and frame. I added an enamel hardener with it.

That stuff dried super hard and is very durable. I live in SO-cal so its perfect for this climate. And best part is it's cheap enough to apply once a year or as needed.

Only bad part was my garage smelled like fish oil for a month!

 

[Big Ray]

Need to do my roof and hood...

 

[Bigb55]

Need to do my roof and hood...

Sand them down and roll it on. Then topcoat with whatever you like. Laquer, enamel, urethanes.

When I emailed they said rust bullet is compatible with most paints once it's fully cured. Works best with similar single stage urethanes during the top coat window. I.e their black or white shell top coats.

They recommended to treat it similar to a sealer/primer. For exterior panels use a filler primer over top and sand to get a perfectly smooth finish. It dries fairly smooth. But will have a few rough spots due to the roller. It can be sprayed on also for a smoother finish

 

[ryoken]

RB = POR15... it's an encapsilator.. we where using it back in the 90's...

 

[Big Ray]

I'm just going to roll some farm implement paint on it.

Probably bed line over that.