Painting steel frame

[Juneaudave]

I cleaned up my welded steel frame, coated and wet sanded it a couple times with spray can Rust-oleum autobody primer and think it will be ready for final paint next weekend. I'm not set-up for HPLV or regular spray applications.

Any suggestions on paint brand, type and number of finish coats to get the most durable finish out of a spray can? I want as good a finish as I can afford, but in my salt/wet environment, durability of the finish is probably more important. Thanks...Juneaudave

[Leon]

Since you have already primed with rustoleum, that would be a good choice. I've used it and it has held up well for me. There are other, tougher finishes such as POR15 that can be sprayed or brushed, it is like a rock when dry.

[asianflava]

I used Rust Bullet, similar to POR-15 but less work. Don't get it anywhere where you don't want it. I didn't find any good solvents to take it off.

[Dale M.]

I used Rust-Oleum ( primer and finish) and did it with a brush! (2 coats) .... Not the prettiest but it is black and protected.... Actually brushing lets you get in nooks and crannies of welds and corners where spray may not saturate/penetrate...

I just put down large paper drop cloth and propped frame up on side (vertically ) so I could paint bottom area well and went at it...

Dale

[McTeardrops]

I've been told, by PPG and other paint reps, that automotive paints are not compatible with rustolium products.

I used rustolium black "hammered" finish on the last trailer. It looks good for a while, touches up nice, but doesn't hold up well in wear areas like fenders and tongue. Their regular paints have held up better, but won't allow spot touch up.