[jesuscowboy]

Looking for pros to chime in! I do frame up restores on early broncos; jeeps; scouts; and landcrusiers. I have used por15 in the past but not really impressed and after reading so many post about por not being good I agree. I'm looking for the ultimate frame paint. I want something to go on clean metal. I need to be able to touch up so if I add something that needs to be welded to frame. Also since these vehicles are for off road use being able to touch up ding is very important. I want to know what is the toughest paint out there. No powdercoat. What type of paint do they use on heavy equipment? I really don't want something that requires a bunch of steps like por.

[cyclopsblown34]

Imron is tough as nails. It's a DuPont product but you need to wear dang good protective gear when spraying it.

[OneMoreTime]

I have found a high quality 2 part epoxy to be the best alternative for restoration work..Step one clean the metal..Step two apply the epoxy..then the part is done and can be shelved until it is time to reassemble the part to the car or truck..Saves me a lot of time and money as I only need one product and saves a number of steps..

Now saying that epoxy is tough but some of the rock crawler guys can break an anvil if given the opportunity..

Sam

[302 Z28]

With all due respect, Imrom is not the paint people remember it was. Due to EPA restrictions and DuPont's willingness to bow to them Imron has been neutered to the point that it is no better than an epoxy, and not even a high grade epoxy. I have found that Southern Polyurethane epoxy is far superior to anything the big names have to offer. I had primed my frame with PPG DP Epoxy primer and found out that it would wipe right off with lacquer thinner after it had cured. I removed all of that primer and re-primed the frame with Southern Polyurethane epoxy primer. After it cured I then applied a black Imron finish. Having driven the car for some time now the Imron is holding up no better than a single stage urethane. Numerous chips all the way down to the epoxy primer have appeared. the epoxy primer has not chipped however.

Vince

[cyclopsblown34]

Good thing I haven't purchased any Imron in the last few years. I bought a case of black Imron years ago and am about out. Looks like the epoxy and then urethane is the best option for durability and purty appearance.

[302 Z28]

Originally Posted by cyclopsblown34

Good thing I haven't purchased any Imron in the last few years. I bought a case of black Imron years ago and am about out. Looks like the epoxy and then urethane is the best option for durability and purty appearance.

The Imron that is available to retail users is a far cry from the industrial version of years past. I retired from DuPont and worked in the plant maintenance department of a Dupont chemical site. The Imron we had access to intra company was even different from the general industrial Imron, it was some tough stuff, not available outside DuPont.

Vince

[jesuscowboy]

anybody done side by side comparision of por15; spi epoxy; and just krylon

[302 Z28]

Originally Posted by jesuscowboy

anybody done side by side comparision of por15; spi epoxy; and just krylon

No, but I would put what's left of my 401K on the SPI epoxy.

Vince

[OneMoreTime]

At one time there was a company using the SP epoxy primer with a single stage topcoat on concrete mixers and were happy but you would have to call SPI on that..

The other stuff i have tried some industrial? paint on some equipment in the past like Hammerite and I got some paint the railroad used and it was not any better..did not stand up like I wanted..

Sam

[smrat]

this might be out there in left feild but when i lived in Maine i worked on the bridge crew. sandblasting and reapainting. they used sherwin willaims( i think)comes in green and gloss black maybe other colors. i believe they paint the plow truck frames with this also so this has to be tuff!!!

[jcclark]

I have tried different paints on my aluminum fishing boat over the years.
(it's 48 yrs old) and found that a epoxy primer with a good
single stage urethane has held up the best.
My boat takes a real beating where I fish and the urethane
has resisted scratches and chipping the best.
I have been very impressed with how strong it is.
Last time I painted it I even clearcoated it with SPI clearcoat.
Seems to be the best combination.

[forestrytodd]

Try Squeeg's epoxy. Slow to dry by tough. Does not need to be topcoated but can be.