chassis painting

[niallyc]

Hi All,

I have a question that might seem a little dumb but I', going to ask it anyway and hope for the best!

Should I prime my chassis as I go or should I wait till its all finished and do the whole lot? I have just tacked all the bottom rails together and I am concerned that the cleaned surfaces will start to rust. With this (possibly irrational) fear in mind, I began degreasing, sanding and degreasing again. I'm using a u-pol weld through primer on the joints and an acid 8 etch primer elsewhere.

Are my fears of the dreaded oxidisation fairy unfounded? I realise that I'll probably have to clean off the joints again when I want to fully weld them up so there will be a bit of extra work.

Any help on this would be appreciated. I have to go and get some fresh air now! DO NOT paint in the garage with the door closed!

[AndyLockwood]

Im just about to start on my chassis so ill be interested to see what peoples views are.

best of luck with your build

Andy

[RAYLEE29]

I hate rust too but my solution was a bit more simple
I had a coffee jar with an oily rag init every time i finshed a section out came the rag and wiped over the rellavent chassis parts with oil
to stop the condensation from my aluminium roof dripping on my chassis i put a membrane stretched across the roof joists above my build area
this worked well and kept my chassis rust free for nearly a year before i painted it obviously you need to degrease before painting
Ray

[AndyLockwood]

now thats a good idea

[niallyc]

Originally Posted by RAYLEE29

I hate rust too but my solution was a bit more simple
I had a coffee jar with an oily rag init every time i finshed a section out came the rag and wiped over the rellavent chassis parts with oil
to stop the condensation from my aluminium roof dripping on my chassis i put a membrane stretched across the roof joists above my build area
this worked well and kept my chassis rust free for nearly a year before i painted it obviously you need to degrease before painting
Ray

I've been doing someting similar. After I cut a piece to size I dip the end in a jar of diesel engine oil and give it a wipe with a rag. Then dip the other end and wipe again just to make sure both ends are "sealed".

[AshG]

if i was to start again and build a new chassis i would paint areas as i went before they rusted as it took me 5 hours to rub the whole chassis down before i painted it.

[AndyLockwood]

what are people using as the initial coat on the steel?

Andy

[flyerncle]

Tack the chassis together,fit and weld brackets on,fully weld everything and then etch and paint.It has beeen discussed here and even after years of use the internals are as good as nearly new with little rust inside the rails as there will be little air and and moisture left inside after welding.
You could squirt Waxoyl or something like it inside if you feel the need and I personally will do this before capping the ends.

Good luck.