Freshly Sand Blasted Parts, What paint to use?

[RedNeckRacin]

So I just had a pair of track frames and rock guards from a 550 John Deere dozer sand blasted and I'm looking for some suggestions for prep and paint. I have had good luck with the loctite brand rust converter but I really don't think I'm going to need it, although i'm picking the parts up tomorrow. I'm not looking to make this stuff look like a masterpiece because honestly it's going to be put in the dirt and I imagine quite a few spots are going to be paintless in short order. So for a rattle can makeover is some regular Ole rustoleum good enough with a coat of primer and a top coat?

 

[CCWKen]

I don't quite understand your logic--You had the parts sandblasted and you don't care what paint goes on it because the paint might come off? Why did your bother to have it sandblasted? I would use a good acrylic paint with hardener and the paint will last a long time. My 1956 JD 420C still has paint on the undercarriage, except for the tracks. The dirt helps protect the paint. What tears up the paint is gravel and rocks. After moving dirt, I clean the undercarriage with a pressure washer or just the hose. I try not to let it set too long.

Whatever paint you choose to use, make sure it's the same type of paint (or at least compatible) as the primer.

 

[strum456]

Epoxy primer. Nothing else mentioned so far is even in the same universe in terms of durability and corrosion protection. If you took the time to sand blast it, why not do it right?

 

[CCWKen]

True but follow the directions for the Epoxy primer or any primer for that matter. Most need to be top coated (painted over) within so many hours or the paint WILL flake/chip off.

Forgot to mention: Use a stiff bristle brush and air gun to scrub the parts and blow any sandblasting residue (silica) off. Then prime or paint the parts immediately.

 

[chim]

We've used Tnemec paint in the past with success. I have a couple tools that have gray Tnemec paint on them for years after accidentally getting some slopped on them.

We've recently been using Pittsburgh AUE300 on some of projects and I used it on my snow blower last year. So far it's been pretty impressive stuff. It's a two-part coating that is made for direct-to-metal application without primer.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Well the sand blasting was not expensive, both track frames (7' long) and all 4 rock guards were only $120. I wasn't overly concerned because the undercarriage gets the most abuse from the working conditions besides the face of the blade. I was just assuming whatever I put on it was not going to last more than a use or two except some better sheltered areas. I also don't have a paint sprayer or a paint booth to really do a show piece. I was more or less looking for some good rattle can options or suggestions for what to stay away from. Thanks for the suggestions so far.

 

[PILOON]

Following sand blasting any form of protection application is better than none.
Paint brush application being better than nothing.
Then some sort of enamel is needed to protect the primer.
Primer is merely a toothy surface for the enamel to grip on.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I used some enamel equipment paint from Atwoods on my disk and seeder/fertilizer distributor (TSC also sells it) that I brushed on about 3 years ago. I power brushed it the best I could, corners impossible to get to, and just brushed on over the old paint and some rust. It still looks like it did the day I finished. The disk sets outside 100% of the time. The paint took about 2 weeks to dry to the touch due to putting it on in December so it was around 40F or less most of the time. It took several months, like the following spring, for it to get to maximum hardness as I didn't add a hardener just put it on straight out of the can. I am sure a few days of 100F summer weather would have cured it easily.
It is cheap paint for the quality and much better than any rattle can that you can use including the epoxy from a rattle can.

 

[SARG]

The local DPW crew uses the equipment enamel paint in quart cans from TSC and they add the hardener. They said the hardener makes a world of difference in durability.
I've used their Majic spray paint in the cans on my machines and it beats other spray paint I've used by a wide margin.