Best Steel Finish

[ray66v]

I am one of the dinasaurs that still use etching primer. Bill

Using an etching product is still the best way to treat steel.

The etching primer your using appears to be the old lacquer based technology etching primer filler, that is easily softened by a thinner rag, (soluble). It was fine, when that's about all we had. But, it produces a porous film that does not block moisture as well as what we have today.

Now you can buy 2 part primers that are much tighter structured molecularly, so moisture cannot penetrate them, and they develop a much harder, more durable, film.

To the OP: You can use any automotive refinish system and achieve good results, but they will come with a cost.

The products you are using cost about 1/5 what the products you need, to get lasting results. You will also need much better personal protective equipment to use them safely.

Not all primers are made for direct to metal use. This includes many of the popular epoxy sealers and primers used today. Satisfactory results can be achieved with them in some cases, but if it is not a direct to metal self etching 2 part primer, you are not getting the maximum level of protection.

For the products that do not etch, a simple coat of vinyl wash primer first, will be the best way to get maximum adhesion. It's not expensive, or a lot of trouble. This is a step that many either do not know about, or ignore. Many believe "epoxy" will stick to anything, so they don't need it.

You have 3 good options to increase your quality of results. From the most expensive to the cheapest:
1. Use an entire automotive system from start to finish.
2. Use a high quality automotive undercoat, (primer), system and top coat with industrial enamel, (Rustoleum, etc.),
3. Use the same low end system your using, but add the step of applying a vinyl wash primer first, after you clean the metal.

I use #2 when I don't want to invest a lot of money. Other than the topcoat will eventually dull from the sun, it holds up very well.

You also need to make sure your not sandblasting, or even just blowing, air with high levels of moisture on your bare steel prior to painting.

Having perfectly dry air is important, and not cheap to do in high volume.

 

[strum456]

All good advice above. I will add that the problem with acid wash is misuse. These products are very easy for a novice to mess up, and can ruin an entire paint job after all the time and expense has already been invested. Not to mention, acid etch is another step. This is why I use SPI epoxy primer. It is meant for direct to metal use (self etching). I like PPG epoxy too, but not compared to SPI.

 

[carlav1410]

hello all,

Powder coating is the best coating to put on anything for outdoor use.

Now cost of the gun is not cheap and powder is about 15.00 a lb.
We have a powder coating system I built in the garage for my son to powder coat dirt bike rims and four wheeler parts.
But with that said I built a oven 6' high x3' deep x 4' wide that I can fit most anything we need to powder coat.
There are company's out there that can powder coat anything any size for a price.

Hope this Helps

 

[pilot-werx]

I use DuPont Imron on everything....