Thread: Frame and Engine paint

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I'm getting ready to start some painting soon and was wondering what to use. I wanted to get a high fill primer on the frame, axles and grill and then paint them as well as the engine and control arms all the same color. My neighbor used to do a lot of painting and he said that if you add a couple of tubes of hardener to Tremclad rust paint it gives a bulletproof finish. Any comments on this? Any suggestions of what kind of paint and primer to use? I've painted choppers and airplanes before but never a car so easier is better and I don't want to have to do this again.

Thanks,
Sean

Lots of options, Sean, but IMO there is no reason to go with anything real exotic. I have used just regular single component automotive enamel for years, from various manufacturers. I did my '27 with Dupont's Centari system that consisted of Uroprime etch primer, then their regular high build primer, and finally their top coat with hardener in it. On my '23 I used Nasons etch primer, 2K primer, and then their top coat with hardener.

The durability is fine, and it retains it's gloss and color very well. Same goes for the engine and transmission, just use the same system. I do think it is important to stay with one brand of products all the way through, and use a system you are comfortable spraying. Even the Nason's I am using is not considered top of the line, like some pro's might want to shoot, but I get ok results with it and am happy with the price and quality. And whatever system you get, follow their ratio instructions closely.

Don

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Lots of options, Sean, but IMO there is no reason to go with anything real exotic. I have used just regular single component automotive enamel for years, from various manufacturers. I did my '27 with Dupont's Centari system that consisted of Uroprime etch primer, then their regular high build primer, and finally their top coat with hardener in it. On my '23 I used Nasons etch primer, 2K primer, and then their top coat with hardener.

The durability is fine, and it retains it's gloss and color very well. Same goes for the engine and transmission, just use the same system. I do think it is important to stay with one brand of products all the way through, and use a system you are comfortable spraying. Even the Nason's I am using is not considered top of the line, like some pro's might want to shoot, but I get ok results with it and am happy with the price and quality. And whatever system you get, follow their ratio instructions closely.

Don

Hi! great advices!

in uniblock cars, like mustang, how do I paint them BOTTOM of it???

lifting and painting is reasonable? any special care with the bottom, concerning street cars?

Originally Posted by GabrielC

Hi! great advices!

in uniblock cars, like mustang, how do I paint them BOTTOM of it???

lifting and painting is reasonable? any special care with the bottom, concerning street cars?

Put it on a rotisserie, or on a drive on lift....

I'd use a basic automotive grade paint. Single stage to save the costs... You could POR15 the chassis if you wanted by just brushing it on and it smooths out and very glossy. IMO, if done right POR15 looks clean and nice. Or you could POR15, prime and paint over that. The POR15 will keep the rust away when the chassis eventually starts chipping from rocks, sand, etc.