Painting over frame rust

[metalmike]

I'm finally on the "get rid of rust" part of my to fix list. The entire underside of my truck is covered in a nice layer of rust. Not enough to weaken anything, but enough that it's time to clean up and paint up. My plan is to go in with a decent wire brush, get rid of all the loose stuff, then get a really good paint (like POR or rustoleum) and cover the whole thing. My front axle is just as bad, so would it be safe to brush of an paint everything I can reach?

I have a 4x4 and would like to not mess anything up by painting something I wasn't supposed to. Help and/or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Paint away!

 

[bilzy7]

Ya I mean I don't think paint will harm anything besides spraying it into the intake while running. Are you gonna hand brush it or you got a power brusher? I always picture people hand scraping rust off when I hear wire brush lol.

 

[JoshT]

That's what I'm soon to do to my frame. Hit with pressure washer to remove 20+ years worth of caked on dirt and dust. Use grinder with wire brush to remove most rust scale, and loose paint. Then follow that up with paint.

 

[metalmike]

I'll be hand brushing it since I don't have jacks to pop off the wheels. I'm not really concerned with making it look show quality, I care more about protecting the metal.

 

[Ranger Kip]

do it right, use a grinder and some brushes.

Im gonna put paint in bedliner everywhere the salt can hit near the fenders, same with the inside of all the fenders, sometimes primer and a good coat of paint aint good enough.

 

[metalmike]

Would it be a better idea to just use bedliner instead of paint? Here's a list of everything that's getting painted:
Frame rails, front axle, plate protecting the gas tank, oil pan (in blue just because), underside of bed, and anything else that could use some fresh paint.
My rear diff cover is kinda bad, but I'll be replacing that eventually.

 

[strvger]

POR 15 is not paint. it is a coating that dries very hard and prevents water and air getting to the coated parts. it is also UV sensitive and will need to be top coated/painted where it may be exposed to sunlight. you may certainly cover it with bedliner or paint to protect it.
rustoleum will paint over your rust, but will not seal it nearly as well or for as long as the POR 15 or other similar products.
also, any holes you need drilled or welding that you plan on doing, do it BEFORE you put on the POR as it will be rather difficult getting through the coating as it dries so hard.
not cheap stuff, but it does a great job. as with all products of this type (POR, bedliner/etc.) prep is key to a quality job.
good luck with your project, and Welcome to TRS!