VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 what paint to use for frame?

Hello All,

I have a 51 driver that I am working on. As I was working under my car I was being assaulted by pieces of undercoating falling off the frame. I was planning on repainting the frame so I stripped the frame with a putty knife and wire brush. Everything flaked off pretty easily. But on the floor pans the undercoating is still solidly bonded.

My questions are:

#1. Since I scraped off the undercoating there is probably still trace amounts of undercoating adhered to the frame. What should I use to make sure all the undercoating is off? Mineral spirits?

#2 The undercoating on the floor pans is in good shape, but when it was applied, who knows how many years ago some small areas (4"X12") where not thoroughly covered with undercoating. These areas now have some surface rust. Should I wire brush these areas and use the product that neutralizes rust then cover with semigloss black rustoleum?

#3 I looked into the postings of the the piant/metal group and Chevy nut on Feb 06 2004 said he used rustoleum on one of his frames. The professional that will be doing the work on my car said to use the same thing. But what should I use to etch the frame? Also, should I use rust neutralizer on my frame, (you know, the stuff that goes on white and turns black when bondided to rust)? Should I use a rustoleum primer, or just paint the frame with rustoleum after it's been thoroughly cleaned? I plan on brushing on the paint.

Thanks for everyone's help!

51Steve

I wire brushed my frame and applied black Rustoleum...no primer etc.This was in about 1971.Was under the car this summer , greasing and changing oil, and the frame looks as good as the day I painted it - except for some dirt.Did the same on the 1939 a few years later and that has held up well also.In my opinion this is adquate for a driver unless the metal is badly pitted.

My '50 and '57 were dealer undercoated when new.Although they are in good shape I have touched-up the peeling undercoat and freshened up the appearence of the rest with undercoat in a spray can....there was no or very slight rust underneath.

51steve, here is a site about a new undercoating sound deading product, at least it's new to me, it is Lizard Skin. here is the link:
LIZARD SKIN

Thank You gentlemen for your responses, I'll be going with the rustoleum. Will mineral spirits take off the remaining undercoating? What about etching the frame?

Thanks again!

51Steve