Technical Durable & Simple Suspension Paint?

I'm curious what you have used for black suspension paint that is very durable, simple to apply and readily available. I do not want to use powder coat or revert to having someone conventionally spray the parts with a 2-part polyurethane.

Thanks much guys,


- EM

 

I've had good success using good ol Tremclad (it's readily available, ready right out of the can, each color available in cans as well as aerosol and priced well). I use the semi gloss black for suspension components. It flows out nice and never gets really hard so it resists chipping quite well.

 

Por15, Rustoleum appliance epoxy. Thats the 2 I use.

 

Thanks rodomotive. It appears that "Tremclad" is the same as Rustoleum. Have you used it on leaf springs?

- EM

 

I used this on the rails and front suspension on my Phaeton...



...VHT Epoxy Paint. It is available at my local parts store, is fairly cheap, comes in gloss and matte black, and seems to be holding up fine.

 

That's pretty good stuff.
Just read the label and head the recoat window times.

 

^ Darn skippy. Follow the directions on the can, and the stuff is great.

...just don't do what I did, and spill a drop of gas on the area that you just painted.

 

I like Rustoleum Hammmertone paint. It is durable, and doesn't need primer. They have it in a black finish.

 

The thing i like about the VHT is the relatively fast dry time.

 

I like to use Van Sickle Oil based enamel and add hardener then brush paint it on. Once you get the hang of the brush painting and it flows out well many times you cant tell its brush painted and its catalyzed, so its more durable than any one part spray bomb paint. The Van sickle is a higher quality paint than Rustoleum and its available at most farm stores.

 

Mix in some flat with gloss or satin for factory look with any paint you use; and it is more pleasing than shiny for the discriminating eye, and approximates most factory frame paint. Thanks to Eric Vaughn who taught me this trick.

 

Thanks guys. A lot of good suggestions.

I do like epoxy but know from experience that it does not do well with UV light and turns chalky with time. True, suspension is not in direct sunlight so the reflected UV may be low enough where epoxy would work fine.

I had never heard of Van Sickle Oil. Interesting, Does the hardner come with it? If not, where can a guy buy hardner only? What about reducer?

I do have some 2-part poly urethane that would perform well but it is brush-on (as it is now). One of these days I should just take the time to learn to set-up and spray with a gun.

- EM

 

The Van Sickel now comes in Satin black. You can get it at the farm supply stores, and the hardner is availible. We have used it several times now, very similar to correct factory look. It's held up so far, and we have been using cheap acrylic enamel reducer for thinner to spray. It drys faster that way. Pretty durable, I was suprised.

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Rustoleum satin black. Wears like iron, easily touched up and cheap.

 

john deer primer sealer then one of there blacks, flat, semi gloss, or gloss. Have yet to see it crack or peel.

 

"Rustoleum satin black. Wears like iron, easily touched up and cheap."

Rattle-can or brush?- EM

 

Exactly what I used on the wagon. HRP

 

Rattle-can or brush?- EM

"Exactly what I used on the wagon. HRP"

 

Rustoleum is great stuff, but don't use the rattle-can. Best results will be with a airless sprayer (you can rent those) so you can blow paint inside of stuff. The only downside is the sloowww dry time....

 

I need to start a journal, I've got too many subscriptions to threads that have valuable information I don't want to lose as I progress with my build.

 

Brush. Used heavy coat.

 

Thin it with acetone and it will dry faster, if you use mineral spirits you'll be waiting forever.

 

Why exactly do you guys not suggest rattle can rustoleum? I've had good luck with it in the past for other projects, but I'm getting ready to paint my suspension parts now and want to find the best method.

 

I have never had the rattle can stuff hold up well.

 

I brush rustoleum on because I get a heavier coat than spray cans.

 

I like POR 15, brush with a foam or now it comes in rattle can
Can't beat it of with a hammer



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I also like POR 15

 

it would be nice if all you guys that answered here could go back and post pics of your paint jobs.

 

Are you guys putting this paint straight on metal or priming first. I realize you are prepping (sanding, blasting, phosphoric acid, etc..).

 

If you can find farm equipment paint from the farm equipment dealer in the right shine or lack of shine to fit you needs I'd go with that. If it can stand up to an "undocumented" farm worker blasting cow manure off it with a pressure washer daily for months on end it will stand up fine on a hot rod chassis. The spray can stuff or paint on stuff that International Harvester "Farmall" sells in their equipment stores is tough if it is put on right.