painting the bottom side...

[zman]

I just ordered a Mag-Hytec differential cover and was thinking about painting the axles, suspension, and other driveline stuff before I put it on. My undercarriage already looks pretty bad after only 16 months. What products do you recommend to prep and paint the bottom side? Also, any tips for getting things ready to paint would be most appreciated. Thanks.



Steve

 

[BK]

Steve,



For 20 years I've been buying the cheapest black paint I can get my hands on and just spraying the crap out of the underside components. I had an '80 toyota and always ran it saltwater mud and on the beach. When others had their 'yota frames rusting in half, mine was still going strong.



If you want to be real nice about it, use a stiff metal brush or wire wheel. Break up the rust the best you can. Get ride of all of the loose stuff. Use a rusty metal primer from Krylon or someone. Then use the cheapest black spray paint. Every so often , once or twice a year, when I'm under there changing oil, I get on my creeper with a spray can and inspect the whole underside of the truck and paint the frame, springs, mounts, axles, hitches, shocks... . while I'm under there poking around.

Wear a breathing mask, a hat and something to protect your eyes. Expect to come out from under the truck a bit sticky.



Just did mine today during an oil change.



Bob

 

[DAWG-1]

I used to use flat black but I found satin looks better. I just use high pressure spray let dry and start painting .

 

[Cooker]

I'll have to give some thought of doing this as my 96 is rather rusty underneath.



Powerwash and paint huh? That sounds easy enough. Almost too easy. Anything else to be concerned about?



Thanks,

Ryan

 

[illflem]

Just move the blowby tube around to different locations, it will paint the bottom with a rust free coating.



I had the bottom of a Toyota PU sprayed with a rubberized undercoat before shipping it to Hawaii. Body shop did it for $200 including prep, 5 year rust warranty.

 

[Ragin Ram]

Steve.

Pressure wash with degreaser and paint with Eastwood's chassis black paint. I did mine after I buried my truck in the mud and the factory paint came off when I pressure washed it, ( Boy, what a nightmare getting all that mud off!). I would also recommend waxing your truck before spraying it. Paint overspray will get on your white paint guaranteed! Mine has been painted for a year now and has survived several pressure washings.



Good luck!



Todd.