Painting the frame with Bed Liner Spray?

[A2SuperCrew]

We just pulled our PUP out of storage last weekend, and are now in the process of preparing it for the summer camping season.


Rust has developed on the front frame rail to the left and right of the tongue.  Most likely, the paint has been damaged by all the debris coming up off the TV's rear tires.  The rust is not a structural problem, it's just ugly surface rust.

I've seen truck bed liner sprays available in rattle cans.  One is made by Duplicolor.  I'm thinking maybe this type of product would be a good solution to repaint these areas that take so much abuse.  It should hold up longer than just repainting with standard paint.  (After removing the rust.)

Have any of you used a product like this for this purpose?

[PattieAM]

Someone else should chime in here.....but, you will want to sand the rusted areas and use a paint such as Rustoleum to seal and coat the area once cleaned so that rust will not re-develop.  I have no knowledge of the product you've mentioned so cannot comment.

[wavery]

I agree. Thoroughly sand (grind if necessary) the surface rust down to shiny metal. IMMEDIATELY (not 30 minutes later) coat the surface with Rustoleum Primer. Allow drying time (Marked on the can) then spray it with Rustoleum gloss black paint. It will look like new, I did mine 2 years ago and it looks great. I beach camp a lot.

The problem with the bed-liner coating is that the rust will develop under the coating and you may not see it until the metal is completely eaten through. Paint is a far better medium. At least you will be able to see the rust if it develops again.

[austinado16]

I think you've got a good idea and there are several ways you could go with it after you get the metal sanded clean.  If your frame is black, then any of the Rubberized Undercoatings or spray-on bed liner poducts would work because they would match well, and can't be painted over.

However, there are some "rubberized" type undercoatings in rattle cans that are paintable.  There's one that "Martin/Senyor (sp?)" makes and is sold at NAPA.  I've used it and like it.

Another option if you're going with a color to match, is prep, prime and paint, and then use 3M's clear rubberized undercoating.

Or, for a little bling, prep, prime and paint, and then plate over it with some diamond plate sheeting in aluminum that you could glue in place with clear RTV silicone, or Lexal, etc.

All sorts of fun options!

[A2SuperCrew]

The diamond plate idea is interesting.  The entire front of the the camper body is covered in diamond plate.  The frame is just a small stripe of black along the bottom.  That could look nice, but a bit more complex.

The clear rubberized coating is interesting too.  My goal is to increase the durability of the finish on the front of the frame.  That could do the trick.

I'm still leaning toward sanding off the rust, priming, and coating with bed liner spray.  It seems like the simplest way to get a finish more durable than regular paint.

Thanks everybody for your input!

[bhardysmith]

The diamond plate idea is interesting.  The entire front of the the camper body is covered in diamond plate.  The frame is just a small stripe of black along the bottom.  That could look nice, but a bit more complex.

The clear rubberized coating is interesting too.  My goal is to increase the durability of the finish on the front of the frame.  That could do the trick.

I'm still leaning toward sanding off the rust, priming, and coating with bed liner spray.  It seems like the simplest way to get a finish more durable than regular paint.

Thanks everybody for your input!

In my other hobby (british sports car restoration) the bed liner roll on is a popular option for coating clean frames.  I have used "Bill Hircsh Miracle Paint" with great success.  It's alot like PRO 15 except it is UV stable.  You can goggle it to buy it.  Be careful, it is impossile to get it off your skin once dry.

Brian Smith

[austinado16]

In my other hobby (british sports car restoration)
Brian Smith

Cool! Another British car enthusiast!