Paint?! Rustoleum vs Tractor

[bfitz]

I've got a frame that is all but done. I was planning on painting with a coat of primer, then rustoleum, BUT, it was suggested that I use tractor paint instead (from Tractor Supply.) Supposedly, it goes on easy, is as tough as nails, and allegedly stops rust in its tracks.

Any advice?

Thanks!

[Ageless]

It would depend on what type of paint the 'tractor' paint is. Rustoleum is notorious for reacting with other types of paints creating a poor bond. You may want to do a sample with the tractor paint first

[vrodjason]

I like the tractor paint. As you said it is tough as nails. I guess it would depend on a few factors: 1) Are you going to tow it on gravel roads or off road? 2) Will the trailer be stored inside or out in the elements? If I was going to tow it on gravel roads and store it in the elements I would go with tractor/implement paint. It is designed for all types of punishment. I think the key to any paint you pick is to prep very good before you paint. Good clean dry metal before the primer and you shouldn't have any problems with either you choose. It comes down to what you like- personal preference.

[Steve_Cox]

I've got a frame that is all but done. I was planning on painting with a coat of primer, then rustoleum, BUT, it was suggested that I use tractor paint instead (from Tractor Supply.) Supposedly, it goes on easy, is as tough as nails, and allegedly stops rust in its tracks.

Any advice?

Thanks!

It really doesn't matter what you use, so use what You like.

Tractor supply sells a good implement enamel paint made by Valspar, they also sell an additive for it that makes the paint dry faster and makes the finish harder.

Myself, I am a big fan of the hammered finishes for trailer frames. Hammerite paint is my brand of choice.

With new steel the most important part of the paint job is getting the steel clean before painting, then using a good primer and last a quality top coat.

[bfitz]

This will be new steel, random roads, minimal frame showing. Most will be covered by the skin. I like the advice to use what I like, but I really don't have an opinion or preference. I simply want it to go on, stay on, and do its job.

It sounds like the tractor paint is a bit tougher, so I'm leaning that way.

Thanks

[caseydog]

My TD is only outside on the days that I am camping. Otherwise, it is in my garage. That made my choice of frame paint a lot easier. A metal frame stored inside in North Texas is not going to rust.

If I still lived on the coast, and my TD had to stay outside all the time, I would probably have had it powder coated.

Choose your paint according to what that paint has to stand up to. That's my two cents.

CD

[madjack]

...my method for "new" metal...wash with a strong detergent and dry well...take scuff pad and work all metal over, to remove and surface rust...wipe down with a clean cloth...prime with an "etch" primer and paint with an industrial paint(usually black)...I get the scuff pads and acid etch primer(in rattle cans) from an auto paint supply house and the industrial paint from NAPA.............
madjack

[Dale M.]

We do our car chassis's (build and race dune buggies on side) with Rustoleum ... It a trough, durable finish....

Even poor TD trailer frame that has been sitting out for several years in weather ready to have wood added is painted in it (no excuse for not finishing it) and no rust or corrosion.,........

Like other have said..... Preparation is the key... CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN.... Rustoleum primer and then color coat, its tough and durable....... And I like actually putting it on with a brush.... Allows you can be sure paint is well into all the nooks and crannies where sprays don't always go, exactly the places rust starts......

One thing you will find is a hard brittle finish will stone chip more than a soft, tough finish.....

Dale

[bfitz]

The deed is done.

Lots of cleaning, a nice coat of spray primer, and some tractor paint. I opted not to use the hardener as the bottle suggested stirring for 30 minutes before painting. I just didn't have the time to before the shop closed.

The tractor paint went on like molasses. Nice'n gooey/thick. It should give good protection.

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.

[dh]

Like other have said..... Preparation is the key... CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN.... Rustoleum primer and then color coat, its tough and durable....... And I like actually putting it on with a brush.... Allows you can be sure paint is well into all the nooks and crannies where sprays don't always go, exactly the places rust starts......


Dale

Rustoleum Primer topped with Rustoleum Paint is my preference.

I brush it in the tight spots, then thin it down and spray it on. I've had good luck with this combo. I'm currently working on a 5x9 utility trailer for myself, I'm trying Colorplace Rust Tough Enamle, the Wal-Mart version of Rustoleum.

I"m using "Recycled" metal on this build, so I've been hitting the pieces with a wire brush on the grinder and painting them as I cut them. Kind of a backwards way to do it, but I like to try new ways of doing things every now and then. I just knock off the paint where I need to weld, lay down a bead, and paint it back after the weld cools. First time I ever painted a project before I built it.

[dh]

Like other have said..... Preparation is the key... CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN.... Rustoleum primer and then color coat, its tough and durable....... And I like actually putting it on with a brush.... Allows you can be sure paint is well into all the nooks and crannies where sprays don't always go, exactly the places rust starts......


Dale

Rustoleum Primer topped with Rustoleum Paint is my preference.

I brush it in the tight spots, then thin it down and spray it on. I've had good luck with this combo. I'm currently working on a 5x9 utility trailer for myself, I'm trying Colorplace Rust Tough Enamle, the Wal-Mart version of Rustoleum.

I"m using "Recycled" metal on this build, so I've been hitting the pieces with a wire brush on the grinder and painting them as I cut them. Kind of a backwards way to do it, but I like to try new ways of doing things every now and then. I just knock off the paint where I need to weld, lay down a bead, and paint it back after the weld cools. First time I ever painted a project before I built it.

I should have been more specific here, I tried 5 different combos of primers, and no primers on different spots as a test on this build. I'll report on the results of the following list of combos after about a month or so.

1. Bare metal, no primer
2. bare metal, Rustoleum rusty metal primer
3. slightly rusty metal, Rustoleum rusty metal primer
4. bare metal, colorplace grey primer
5. bare metal, colorplace oxide primer

I can already tell that this paint is nowhere as tough as Rustoleum

[dh]

Like other have said..... Preparation is the key... CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN.... Rustoleum primer and then color coat, its tough and durable....... And I like actually putting it on with a brush.... Allows you can be sure paint is well into all the nooks and crannies where sprays don't always go, exactly the places rust starts......


Dale

Rustoleum Primer topped with Rustoleum Paint is my preference.

I brush it in the tight spots, then thin it down and spray it on. I've had good luck with this combo. I'm currently working on a 5x9 utility trailer for myself, I'm trying Colorplace Rust Tough Enamle, the Wal-Mart version of Rustoleum.

I"m using "Recycled" metal on this build, so I've been hitting the pieces with a wire brush on the grinder and painting them as I cut them. Kind of a backwards way to do it, but I like to try new ways of doing things every now and then. I just knock off the paint where I need to weld, lay down a bead, and paint it back after the weld cools. First time I ever painted a project before I built it.

I should have been more specific here, I tried 5 different combos of primers, and no primers on different spots as a test on this build. I'll report on the results of the following list of combos after about a month or so.

1. Bare metal, no primer
2. bare metal, Rustoleum rusty metal primer
3. slightly rusty metal, Rustoleum rusty metal primer
4. bare metal, colorplace grey primer
5. bare metal, colorplace oxide primer

I can already tell that this paint is nowhere as tough as Rustoleum

After some use the results are in,

This stuff is OK, not great, not horrible

It likes bare metal and Rustoleum primer best, and seems to do ok. The colorplace primers do not work at all. The paint will rub off easily and the primer will be left.

It does not get tough like the Rustoleum will though. Next time I will spend the money and get the good syuff