hi all, great forum here.
i'm building a steel tube framed bed to replace my totally rusted out truck bed. i'll be using 1 1/2" steel square tube with a sheet of steel diamond plate for the deck. i'll be using a flux core mig welder to put it together.
i've done some reading on the forum about weld through primer, do-it-yourself bed liners and various primers, paints, etc....
my primary concern with the project is to build it with as many/the best rust prevention measures i can muster up. i live 2 blocks from the beach in north Florida, this is the place rust calls home.
i'll be using a weld through primer on all the weld joints, using stainless hinges and fasteners, etc....
here is my plan so far, use 3M weld through primer on all weld joints, use gator guard on the bed deck (i know it's not the best, but i don't have a lot of money to spend on the project) and seal the whole thing up with epoxy primer before i paint it to match my truck cab. i'll be working on it weekends.


i've got a few questions though...
what can i do to prevent the tube frame from rusting from the inside out? i plan on welding 'plugs' to the end of the tubes, sealing them shut. should i apply a zinc compound to the inside before welding them closed, or would that be overkill?

should i apply the bed liner on bare steel or over the top of epoxy primer?

will epoxy primer stick to the weld through primer? or does it have to be removed? if so, does it have to be ground off?

and what's the best way to seal up the underside and fenderwells of the bed? any cheap tuff paint product that's good? from what i've read here regular undercoating does'nt sound like it can be counted on to really seal and protect metal long term....
any info is much appreciated
jason

Get it all built then have it completely sandblasted to remove all your welding flash, any corrosion, and that black flash rust that comes on new steel. Then when she's nice and clean apply three good coats of epoxy primer, apply your bedliner over the epoxy, and paint the exterior to match your truck. The inside of the tubes will be fine if they are welded completely closed, if you have any open tubes coat them with a rust preventative spray like 3M's rustfighter or any cavity wax, cosmoline, etc.

The most important part is getting it blasted good before you put the epoxy on. Most manufacturing places that build out of steel don't pay attention much to the surface prep before any coatings go on, then it doesn't last. Bob

good tip on the sandblasting, i've got an endless supply of media a couple of blocks away.

as long as your sealing the framework completely, there wont be much forming inside the tubes

once the small amount of moisture inside the tubes is used up in creating a skim coat of rust theres no more water to create rust ... the problem solves itself

I don't think I'd use any saltwater sand. Buy some contractor's sand or black magic, or garnet. If you do it yourself make sure to wear a good respirator. Bob