frame and underbody how to protect it?

[rustbucket72]

im wondering what i should paint my frame/underbody with ...i have a 1972 f250 highboy thats been a farm truck most of its life then a mudding and pulling truck so its got its fair share of rust anyway im wanting to paint the frame with somrthing to protect it but im not sure whats good to use ive heard underbody coating itsnt good cuz it holds moisture i dont want to just paint it and it peel off and be a waste of time and money, por 15 (i think thats the right name of it) ive heard is awsome , ive even thought of rinoliner or something equivlant... but what do yall think?
thanks; rustbucket72
ps i do plan on getting this truck dirty on road and off so i need something tough like my truck haha

[Subzero]

I'm using POR15 on both of my trucks. Its really great stuff. I've just put it on but it is very tough for sure. It is costly for paint and I think I've spent around $500 for both trucks ( equipment and the actual paint). I'm brushing it on but it can be sprayed. I slide a tow hook I painted with the stuff across the road accidently today and it didn't chip. Its very messy job and I recommend coveralls, gloves, glasses and something to cover the top of your head if your brushing it on. Follow directions exactly and it will all be good. I'm also using Eastwood Rust Encapsulater in an aerosol can and Eastwood Internal Frame Spray for everywhere I can't get POR15. PM me if you have any questions about POR15 or Eastwood products I've used. I've learned a lot since doing the job ( mostly the hard way ).

[rustbucket72]

Ok thanks I appreciate it I'll definitely do tht !!

[Subzero]

Heres some picturesof my F150 that I used Por15 on. Its not the best job im sure but it works and it gines an idea of what it will look like. I will definitly put more care when doing my F100 ( its gotta last alot longer )

[rustbucket72]

when you put the por 15 on youre truck was it sanded or just ruffed up a litle bit?

[Subzero]

In order to put POR15 over rust they recommend that you sand off all the lose rust flakes. You can paint right over the rust if you prepared everything the way they say to on their website. I just took a medium grit sanding sponge and went over the rusty areas I was going to paint. The POR15 really should be used over areas that are rusted as it won't adhere to smooth or oily surfaces. I accidentally put POR15 over a section of my F150 frame that had a tar undercoating on it( second picture). I didn't realize it was there so I had to go back and scrape all the tar off and I'm going to paint it again. The areas that had rust before painting are very strongly coated and I don't think it will ever come off. The coating on the hitch is the best. I can't scrape it off if I tried. I won't ever really see how my F150 holds up as I'm selling it in a couple months but I'm doing my F100 next spring and it has a great coat of surface rust on the frame. Is most of the rust on your truck on the frame? Has it begun to "flake" a little bit like mine? Post up some pictures. If its not that rough looking you could just spray some Eastwood Rust Encapsulater from an aerosol can on. If its heavy rust though, I'd recommend the POR15 still as it will cover it better.

[PetesPonies]

Let me offer some real world experience here. When POR first came out I tries it. I have been involved in restoration work for well over 30 years now. I wasn't impressed. I know how to prep panels and I had less than stellar results. I found a product called Master Series. It uses similar chemistry in that it is a moisture cured urethane product. But it is a primer. It has better adhesion than I have witnessed with POR. It has metal in it that " leafs" when it is applied. I have used it for many years now and swear by it. Look it up and see for yourself. I don't want to publish a book here, but there has been a lot said about Master Series Silver, check for yourself. I'm trying to pass on real world professional info . . take it pr leave it

[67nukeford]

I used POR-15 on my 67 frame, after sandblasting. Cleaned it with Marine clean, prepped with Metal Prep, and brushed on. When it dried, scuffed it up, and shot two coats of Eastwood's chassis black on it, came out fantastic.

[72Richb UK]

Nuke, what did you scuff it up with? I've just ordered marine clean, metal prep, 6pack of POR-15 and a can of chassis black, about to put new jag IFS in and thought I'd hit the chassis while it was accessible, going to wire brush the chassis before marine clean & then go from there.

Thanks,
Rich, UK

[67nukeford]

Scuffed it up with some Scothbrite. I'd use foam brushes to apply the POR-15, but get a lot of them, they get used up pretty quick!

[72Richb UK]

ok cool, thanks Nuke.. when I come to the final paint I'm thinking of spraying frame body colour, if I scuff & apply a sealer primer will that be sufficient?

[67nukeford]

I would think so, but I'm no paint expert. I just used Chassis Black from Eastwood. I'd ask your paint shop, and see what they say.