They say the biggest part of solving the problem is understanding that there is a problem.
. I’m glad to see we’re making progress now that I have your attention
For complete disclosure, I don’t think rattle-can Rustoleum is bad stuff. But like anything technical, it’s all about the use and desired outcome. If used properly, it’s certainly OK for cosmetic accents. And while it may last years, I consider it a temporary application.
I was raised in the north, when a rust bucket really was a rust bucket (like my $135 1962 3WD Chevrolet pick up). There were parts on that truck where the only thing that held it together was the Rustoleum. Then I think about all you guys up north now, and a lot of the rust issues and rot you guys write up and have to deal with. It looks like some of you guys do all kinds of incredible complete and hard and fine work, cutting and welding in new pieces etc., and then the rattle can appears. Tsk tsk.
One of the reasons I love the Rustoleum is because the steel doesn’t have to be perfectly clean, the Rustoleum will penetrate and seal as well as coat. I’ve mentioned before, if there are intricate parts and spots that you can’t get to, starting with a 50-50 mix with mineral spirits, slopped on, will penetrate all the nooks and crannies. Then subsequent coats will stick to and cover that first coat (if applied within 48 hours), and you end up with a very good long-term protection.
As regards spraying it on, while a spray finish can be much smoother in appearance, simply by the way it works, it’s not near as thick, and does not provide the same long-term protection. The best combination of protection, durability, and nice finish would be to use the 50-50 mix, then brush on a decent coat, and then sand and finish it with a spray coat.
@lil_Blue_Ford ‘s blue camo with rattle cans will work, because then when he has to touch up that spray stuff over and over and over again, it won’t show.
@Blmpkn , I did not totally discard you, we only took 10 points off, and I provided you a pathway to have that penalty eliminated if you did the right thing.
@ericbphoto , it’s good to see you’re on the right track, but if you want to make the right impression on “those who know,” you might want to edit your picture to this:
View attachment 102481
I am quite impressed with the HFT/dollar store brushes, however.
@Lefty seems to understand all this, referencing a 12-month warranty on a rattle can job. Who ever gets 90% of the way down the road on a warranty, and then turns in the claim?
@racsan seems to have the fundamentals under control. On that accent on the hood, if you sand it with an 80 grit, and you mix the Rustoleum 70/30, and roll it on with a foam roller, on a 60 or 70° day in the shade, it will smooth out and probably outlast the truck.
As regards
@Lefty ‘s two-part epoxy, you can probably get a better finish, and the stuff is hard as nails, and will be durable, but it doesn’t penetrate as well as the Rustoleum, and it is not designed for direct application on metal or rusty metal. You can get condensation, and then rust, between the epoxy and the base metal where there are voids.
Finally, if you’re going to take the time and attention to accomplish something like
@bodied91ranger ‘s dream truck, this whole conversation is moot. I love the Rustoleum because it’s relatively dirt cheap, and relatively easy to get a very nice result for the money.
Please revise your papers before Monday.
As always, I hope it helps…
(and,
@bodied91ranger, one quart of Black Rustoleum will cover your truck in one coat if you’re careful, and you use a foam roller).