I’ve always been a rust killing, cleaning, and painting kinda guy. I’m about to coat this frame in a flat black. But then I start thinking it looks kinda cool as it is all rustic, paint or leave alone?

 

I guess it depends on how much you value your ride.......... What I mean is, there is some obvious rust on the bottom of the frame rail...... could there be more and worse rust elsewhere? I would want to be sure.........

 

I failed to mention that it’s been thoroughly inspected. Frame is solid. I’ll take that as a vote for seal it, paint it, and cavity coat the inside. Thanks for your input!

 

Agree...rust never sleeps and it is not your friend.

 

Just like any patina looking cars paint, They have a clear coat finish, either satin or gloss to protect it. Spray it Clear, you will get the look you want

 

POR15 is your friend. That stuff works great, just wear gloves as it will take a week to get it off your skin.

 

Paint/coat it.... Rust will only get worse otherwise...

 

Gentlemen, you have spoken and I will make her pretty. I’m using Rust Seal (por 15) and then a flatter black topcoat. Should have it done by Sunday. It’s fun doing water rinses under your car with no drain. I put the hose on a mist setting for rinses. I use some plastic tubs and entrance mats for containment.

 

Congratulations; I'd have done the same. If you can, send more pictures after it's complete.

 

Glad you decided to attack the rust. Have you considered a wire wheel on a cordless (or wired) drill to clean away the rust as much as you can before coating?

 

Randy, not only did I consider it, I did it. I wheeled and brushed a little and then realized it mostly needed a good sanding. Used a palm sander, a detail sander, and mostly sanded by hand, Pretty damn clean. In the pic below, I haven’t even wiped off the dust yet.

 

Looking very good!!

 

There it is……

 

Let’s play another game of “paint it or not.” I’m thinking about painting the powder coated gas tank to make it black also. Aside from technical issues of getting adhesion over powder coat, would it look more at home if it was black?

 

tanks were coated from the factory so silver is the natural color

 

X2 on silver but ive seen them black before

 

Oh. I didn’t know that they were originally silver. I thought they all came standard in iron oxide. 😆. May leave as is then. Less work, less money, and less chance of the black from flaking off. Thanks for the input!

 

Seems maybe I will paint it after all. That was a very thin layer of powder coat…….




The plan is the usual prep, throughly scuff with 400, and then prime with Rustoleum Universal Bonding Primer. If I go black, I have a million topcoat choices on hand, If I go silver, what would be the popular choice? E.g. Krylon dull aluminum or whatever.

 

my tank has a galvanized like finish, Not sure is the originals were like that. The Aluminum color wouldnt be my first choice as its not Aluminum (iknow neither are the grills and other parts we like to paint that color but its a good match to original in those spots....)

they sell a "cast" color. Do they have a "stamped" color ? or maybe it would be natural or raw steel?

I painted some parts w cast then misted them w stainless (color) to end w a not quite cast but more of a dirty raw steel look that might work....(no pics of parts )

 

Thanks Retro. You’re becoming my spirit guide. I am indeed seeing some colors out there that attempt to replicate the look. It’s funny how much thought goes into things that most people won’t ever see. I’ll let ya know what I decide.