Painting axles - frames too

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

My axle is just resting on a $16 Harbor Freight furniture dolly. Serves it's purpose, and the more I think about it, seems just as well to use it for paint. I could strap the axle to my engine hoist, but either way I have to hit what I missed following assembly.

Unless talked out of it, I plan on using sponge rollers anyway, so touch up is easy. Same on the frame, using MasterSeries and their satin top coat....................I've read it comes out real nice with a sponges. If I understand it right, the results are even better than through a gun, though I'm not sure that includes the top-coat. Masters recommends sponges for the primer coats.

I'm looking for a real nice finish to go with a un-pitted & blocked frame. I'm good with a brush, but I don't know, perhaps the top coat through a gun will look cleaner.

Here's someone's frame with MasterSeries. Can't say if brushed or sprayed. https://s20.postimg.org/8wszjd6p9/image.jpg

Other than that, how have you painted an axle, or frame?

[Grumpy old man]

Set the axle on a set of jack stands to paint ,works great .

This frame was painted using a $16.00 gun from harbor freight using tractor supply paint with the catalyst hardener , Less than $50.00

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...l?cm_vc=-10005

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

If I recall, you've used master series as well. That frame looks GREAT. Might be a foolish question, did you use primer? What primer?

[ghalperin]

3 jack stands and then flip the axle over. I put lug nuts on the studs and had the nuts sitting on the stands.

I used a "disposable" gun from Harbor Freight. Less than $10 when on sale. I did clean the gun a few times when I was going to spray again on the same day, but beyond that it's not worth the aggravation of it not working correctly.

I used Magnet Chassis Saver chassis paint in satin black. Only buy as much as you can use, it doesn't store well after opened. After use, clean the rim of the can real well or you won't get the lid off. I used less than a gallon for everything. Per the instructions, I didn’t prime. If you use this paint, order the S8 reducer at the same time. It is MEK and is outlawed in most states, you won't find it local, but you can get it online. I bought both paint and reducer on eBay, for around $100.

Wear a respirator, I didn't the first day and even though it was out doors, I still puked for 3 days.

Using the gun and spraying the paint was simple. This was my first time doing it and it was much easier than I thought it would be.







http://www.magnetpaints.com/underbody.asp

https://m.harborfreight.com/20-oz-8-...gun-67181.html

[notsolo]

Mastercoat silver lays down nice with 1.8 tip and 10% reducer. Might want to test your sponge with the Mastercoat, I found it melts painter pads and foam rollers. Cloth rollers work ok. Repackage Mastercoat in jar or smaller can if you are going to keep it for more than a week.

[RodnRudy]

When I painted my rear end I bolted a brake drum on backwards and stood it on end. I sprayed it with East Wood chassis satin black using their aerosol cans. It worked out really well.

[crazyjeenyus]

I used POR-15. Its great and hard as heck, but don't let the sun get to it, it'll fade and lose it's strength properties. I painted my wheels with it and they're pretty faded now.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Some great ideas. I think I'll do it as Grump's suggested. Seems to me the gears remain in tack with the pinion and gears pin in place, so just as well let it hang down. Spent 3 hours today doing just that to clean the axle. Second cleaning and more to go. No surprise to those who've done this, the axle has caked on grime where the lower U-bolt plate seats for leaf springs. Got half of it. Penetrating oil soaked rags should do it.


Great idea with that frame ghalperin's. I see Harbor Freight has engine stands pretty cheap. $170ish gets you a rotisserie and cart. Existing bolt holes lined up? What you guys figure a SWB frame weighs?

Originally Posted by notsolo

Mastercoat silver lays down nice with 1.8 tip and 10% reducer. Might want to test your sponge with the Mastercoat, I found it melts painter pads and foam rollers. Cloth rollers work ok. Repackage Mastercoat in jar or smaller can if you are going to keep it for more than a week.

Interesting, because they recommend sponge applicators for the primer coat. More I think about it, more I think I'll spray. Thanks for the tips.

Originally Posted by crazyjeenyus

I used POR-15. Its great and hard as heck, but don't let the sun get to it, it'll fade and lose it's strength properties. I painted my wheels with it and they're pretty faded now.

One of the differences between MasterSeries and Por15 is Masters can take the sun exposure.

[71Charlie10]

I bolt a rim and tire to one side, stand it up, cover the rim and tire if it is important and go to town.


Nic

[original-71]

Originally Posted by crazyjeenyus

I used POR-15. Its great and hard as heck, but don't let the sun get to it, it'll fade and lose it's strength properties. I painted my wheels with it and they're pretty faded now.

you have to use a top coat when using por 15. I went with john deere blitz black as my top coat

[Mike C]

You definitely want to spray the frame. We just did a Blazer frame for my kid's Jimmy project. I used the Summit Chassis Shield black.

The Harbor Freight gravity feed gun works awesome. Especially for $10! I've used mine several times and when it won't clean easily at some point, I have a couple of backups!

[notsolo]

Break out the good respirator for the Mastercoat, I use B/C right over it also with no problems.

[ghalperin]

Originally Posted by RodnRudy

When I painted my rear end I bolted a brake drum on backwards and stood it on end. I sprayed it with East Wood chassis satin black using their aerosol cans. It worked out really well.

That's a good idea.

[ripper70]

I used POR 15 and there chassis coat black as a top coat. Used a foam pad and it turned out good

[Richard2112]

I use aerosol spray bed liner. Tough stuff