Community Forums

james621 · 03-26-2013, 06:03 PM

Hello everyone. I was thinking about taking on a spring project. Has anyone painted the frame with por15 or did any kind of rustproofing? I have a 97 f53 that looks good yet and I'd like to keep it that way. Anyone tackle this project? How did you go about it?

rdkng88 · 03-26-2013, 06:38 PM

I'm going to undercoat mine I think that is the best protection. I used undercoating in my battery box and it is holding up very well.

jamesrxx951 · 03-26-2013, 07:20 PM

The frame has enough protection built in from the factory. There is no need for that. In fact it may make any rust or future rust even worse. Under coating will trap in moisture and speed up the rusting process. Undercoating is one of the worst things you can do to your vehicle. Go to a reputable body shop and ask the guys that work there.

As a side story, a buddy of mine bought a used truck. The body was in excellent condition. He was talked into a rust proofing treatment. I warned him not to and the body shop at the dealer that i worked at. He did not listen. Within a year the truck was rotting out. It was bad. Come time to cash in the warranty on all the rust from the undercoating company, they offered to rerust proof it for him but they would not repair the damage because the truck was purchased used.

My first motorhome was on a 93 F53 chassis and just sold it a few months ago. Here in the upper USA where salt is used (but stored outside in the winter), the frame was in perfect condition.

Fred1609 · 03-26-2013, 07:52 PM

I regularly have painted rusty bits on the f350 and 5er without any negative consequence. Although I don't think I am thinking of painting the frame.....yet. But check with a auto body shop first.

rdkng88 · 03-27-2013, 05:20 AM

james621 check the internet you will find some very good coatings that not only will protect the underside of your coach the coatings are proven rust stoppers and rust preventers. For those who live where salt is put on the highways I don't think anything will stop the corrosion. I lived in northern Ohio and if you did not undercoat (properly) after a few years corrosion set in and just started eating everything. Thank God I'm in the south where I see no snow and no salt. I'm still going to coat the exposed underside of my coach. Good Luck.

james621 · 03-28-2013, 03:16 AM

Thanks for the responses. I was thinking more in the lines of por15. When I was a younger lad I made the mistake of buying an older truck with undercoating and learned it was rusted pretty bad underneath the shiny black. I swear I just look for projects to do until camping season begins. N.Y. is just starting to warm up after a long winter

Excell · 03-28-2013, 03:56 AM

Sounds like way to much work .

Coaster1 · 03-28-2013, 02:57 PM

POR15 (paint over rust)is a very messy and expensive process. I doubt the benefit would overcome the cost and effort.

TRAILERKING · 03-30-2013, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coaster1

POR15 (paint over rust)is a very messy and expensive process. I doubt the benefit would overcome the cost and effort.

WRONG.....We are a por15 dealer up here, http://por15.ca . If done right, step by step by the book, you'll have OUTSTANDING results tenfold. It is a lot of work but that's the science behind the product.

Coaster1 · 04-01-2013, 06:13 AM

^^^^ My opinion was only based upon my personal experience with a Jeep. I simply multiplied the size of the job by 5. No slam at the product intended.

WeatherTodd · 04-01-2013, 01:08 PM

I did por 15 on a few trailers. its a good product. I cant see you being able to do a motorhome frame without complete disassembly or lots of tedious taping.

Perhaps a some light media blasting, cold galvanizing spray with a top coat of your favorite flat black would be the easiest way.

Jon Mopar · 04-01-2013, 04:34 PM

stay away from rubberized undercoating. I did my truck with that stuff, and it seems that it loosens in spots, water just gets behind it, develops water bubbles, and you get even more rust.

Dwight · 04-03-2013, 02:46 PM

I BELIEVE DO IT YOUR SELF RUST PROOFING IS WORTH THE EFFORT THE WAY I DO IT

1. Frame & under-body must be clean. Strong soap & high pressure water. Let dry & recheck.
2. Remove flaking rust. 100psi air hose with a straight through nozzle rubbing directly across the rusty area. (Eye protection with goggles is a must have)
3. Spray rust with a rust converter product.
4. Spray a couple light coats of rubberized undercoating as needed.

Touch-up yearly or as needed. Always use #3 first on new rust .
Dwight
Motorhoming since 1959

james621 · 04-03-2013, 07:09 PM

Thanks everyone for the responses. Dwight, that was exactly what I had in mind. Not sure about undercoating over the rust converter though. Its supposed to be in the fifties this weekend. May be the weekend to go at it. Do I need to tape off anything besides the harnesses? Is it ok to rustproof over the brake lines?