Got my frame on my 31' power coated finally and now working on suspension. Want to paint the suspension (4-bar straight axle and triangulated 9" ford rear). I want to go with spray bomb as I do drive some dirt roads and plan to drive the wheels off of it once it done so I want to be able to have easy touch-up. Now the dilemma, I have limited access to a sandblast cabinet but it's very limited and time in it is very limited. So it's one of those things where 1 day I could do the batwings but maybe 2 weeks before I can do spindles, then maybe a week or so to do axle etc. So what I'd like to do is find something like a good etch primer to paint the parts after sand blasting then applying spray bomb on top of that to protect the clean parts. I can't see mixing up epoxy primer, dirty a spray gun just to spray a couple small pieces each time. So is there a good spray can primer that would hold good to the bare metal so I could spray paint top coat it? Ready to get this suspension done and together! ...
You can buy 2k primer and paint in spray cans at most paint stores or Eastwood on line. The kind with he bladder inside that had the hardener in it. I've used it, works fine. Not cheap.
Definitely prep parts correctly and epoxy prime. Use metal prep too. Go shop at tractor supply Paint w urethane , yes we all know, blah blah it’s expensive. Spray parts in small batches, no problem . It will stick and hold up like crazy. The purple guns are on sale at harbor freight. Go get a dozen . You will never regret doing it correctly . spray paint cans are for lawn mowers and charcoal grills
And Billy’s reply above is probably the most economical. You can get two part paint on a spray can color of your choice on eBay. It’s a lot better than anyone one would expect
I used Rust Oleum, on both the Studebaker and the Roadster that I've done, I sandblasted the frame and suspension pieces and shot them with their primer and then satin black. On both cars I had to modify "things" during construction, and it was no problem to "touch up".
Rustoleum Hammertone, comes in variety of colors & no primer required. It’s my go to for chassis parts.
I've used Rustoleum on a lot of small parts with good results. I just did the chassis and suspension on the banger powered Model A I'm building now but it's an old style car.
Appreciate the suggestions fellas, I want to go with a gun metal style gray, metallic would be a plus. ....
Cerakote C-Series. Spray it over clean, freshly blasted metal, let it air dry, you're done. https://www.cerakote.com/shop/cerakote-coating?finishes=cera_c_series
Basic is spray bomb rustoleum or brush on direct to metal. Next up would be spray bomb primer and top coat Next would be many light coats of primer, sand, then top coat. Next would be good 2K primer, followed with spray bomb top coat.
You could also spray suspension parts with Ospho which will etch the surface and form an iron phosphate coating which will resist flash rusting and also become a a good surface for painting in the future. I use Ospho in a pump spray bottle I save from other cleaning products or you can buy new ones at Lowe’s. https://www.ospho.com/directions.htm Ospho is a good product but there are also other metal preps out there.
I’ve used Rustoleum Hammertone on steel outdoor furniture with very minimal prep and it lasted a long time.
The Seymour products and pricing is great, paint, primer, rust converter, just about anything you want https://www.seymourpaint.com/ .
If you are only painting a couple parts at a time you might look at using Preval sprayers. I've mixed up small quantities of lacquer, catalyzed enamel, 2K primer, and epoxy to paint a part or two. Don't forget to strain the paint and some will need a little extra reducer. Anyway, the little sprayers work good for me. https://preval.com/diy-pro-products/preval-sprayer/
As an alternative you could use one of the Eastwood products like the Rust Encapsuator and use a brush. Ive done that with great success previously on a Model A. Edit - not sure if they do that in any other color than black.
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