Chassis Paint Recommendation Request

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules
User avatar

Topic author
A Whiteman
Posts: 992
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 3:36 pm
First Name: Adrian
Last Name: Whiteman
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 TT, 1924 Colonial Roadster, 1924 'Bullnose' Morris, 1925 'Bullnose' Morris, 1936 JD AR
Location: South Island, New Zealand

Chassis Paint Recommendation Request

Post by A Whiteman » Fri May 15, 2020 10:45 pm

What paint do you recommend for chassis/axles/springs?
a) brush option
b) spray option

Thanks all


Kevin Pharis
Posts: 1354
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 3:54 pm
First Name: Kevin
Last Name: Pharis
Location: Sacramento CA

Re: Chassis Paint Recommendation Request

Post by Kevin Pharis » Fri May 15, 2020 10:54 pm

I’ve been using a single stage urethane paint “Valspar LIC40”. It’s an industrial outdoor paint with excellent UV protectant. Sells for about $100 gallon, and can be brushed/rolled as well as sprayed. Have painted several car chassis with it, and a couple speedsters too.

User avatar

Steve Jelf
Posts: 6463
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
First Name: Steve
Last Name: Jelf
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
MTFCA Number: 16175
MTFCI Number: 14758
Board Member Since: 2007
Contact:

Re: Chassis Paint Recommendation Request

Post by Steve Jelf » Fri May 15, 2020 11:12 pm

I've used rattle can Rustoleum satin black (glossy looks ridiculous on a chassis). It's held up very nicely.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring

User avatar

BE_ZERO_BE
Posts: 541
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:27 pm
First Name: BOB
Last Name: CASCISA
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1916 TOURING
Location: POULSBO, WA
MTFCA Number: 16897
MTFCI Number: 16628

Re: Chassis Paint Recommendation Request

Post by BE_ZERO_BE » Sat May 16, 2020 1:00 am

I used POR-15.
In my opinion, it is second only to powder coating.
Respectfully Submitted,
Be_Zero_Be

I drive a Model T ... Microseconds don't matter :D

For every Absolute Model T Fact there are at least three exceptions.

User avatar

Topic author
A Whiteman
Posts: 992
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 3:36 pm
First Name: Adrian
Last Name: Whiteman
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 TT, 1924 Colonial Roadster, 1924 'Bullnose' Morris, 1925 'Bullnose' Morris, 1936 JD AR
Location: South Island, New Zealand

Re: Chassis Paint Recommendation Request

Post by A Whiteman » Sat May 16, 2020 4:51 am

Which POR-15 product do you use as they have a few: is it POR-15 2K Urethane?
Thanks

User avatar

HornsRus
Posts: 425
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 1:07 pm
First Name: Charley
Last Name: Shaver
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1913
Location: MO

Re: Chassis Paint Recommendation Request

Post by HornsRus » Sat May 16, 2020 7:57 am

same as my indian, powder coat. charley

User avatar

Jeff Perkins
Posts: 223
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:40 pm
First Name: Jeff
Last Name: Perkins
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1913 Runabout 1926 Touring
Location: Lakeland MN
MTFCA Number: 10642
MTFCI Number: 17799
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: Chassis Paint Recommendation Request

Post by Jeff Perkins » Sat May 16, 2020 8:37 am

I’m with Steve J on this.....Rustoleum satin black with a brush is easy to use, durable and touch up blends in nicely.
Attachments
4BDB4B0C-B991-4843-B5E6-ED635825E048.jpeg
1913 Model T Runabout,
1926 Model T Touring,
1948 Chrysler New Yorker,
1991 Mazda Miata


NealW
Posts: 385
Joined: Sun Jan 13, 2019 6:20 pm
First Name: Neal
Last Name: Willford
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 Touring, 1915 Runabout
Location: Kansas
MTFCA Number: 50256
Contact:

Re: Chassis Paint Recommendation Request

Post by NealW » Sat May 16, 2020 8:59 am

I am very happy that I got my frame and spring pieces powder coated. I used Eastwood extreme black chassis paint for the other chassis parts that I painted, and am happy with how that turned out too.

User avatar

BE_ZERO_BE
Posts: 541
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:27 pm
First Name: BOB
Last Name: CASCISA
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1916 TOURING
Location: POULSBO, WA
MTFCA Number: 16897
MTFCI Number: 16628

Re: Chassis Paint Recommendation Request

Post by BE_ZERO_BE » Sat May 16, 2020 1:00 pm

Here is the POR-15 I used
Por-15.jpeg
Respectfully Submitted,
Be_Zero_Be

I drive a Model T ... Microseconds don't matter :D

For every Absolute Model T Fact there are at least three exceptions.

User avatar

Rich Eagle
Posts: 6789
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:51 am
First Name: Richard
Last Name: Eagle
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1909 TR 1914 TR 1915 Rd 1920 Spdstr 1922 Coupe 1925 Tudor
Location: Idaho Falls, ID
MTFCA Number: 1219
Contact:

Re: Chassis Paint Recommendation Request

Post by Rich Eagle » Sat May 16, 2020 1:49 pm

I like VanSickle Enamel for Ts and brush it on. It dries slow and flows out.
VanS.jpg
VanS.jpg (29.72 KiB) Viewed 6671 times
When did I do that?

User avatar

TRDxB2
Posts: 5407
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:56 pm
First Name: Frank
Last Name: Brandi
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Speedster (1919 w 1926)
Location: Moline IL
Board Member Since: 2018

Re: Chassis Paint Recommendation Request

Post by TRDxB2 » Sat May 16, 2020 4:52 pm

I would think that the first things to consider are: a finish that is in tune with the rest of the car; the road surface you will be driving on. All the product recommendations pretty much cover whats available. The second things to consideration are cost, and method. The finish I was looking for was for something that would not look like new technology (powder coat or urethane). Didn't want a glossy appearance either, went with Rust-Oleum Specialty Farm & Implement Paint, Low Gloss, Black. I brushed on the first two coats to get in all the nooks and crannies and rolled on the finish coat of the flat surfaces. The finish is hard and I doubt if I'll ever drive on a well seasoned rural country road.
The past is a great place and I don't want to erase it or to regret it, but I don't want to be its prisoner either.
Mick Jagger

User avatar

Topic author
A Whiteman
Posts: 992
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 3:36 pm
First Name: Adrian
Last Name: Whiteman
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 TT, 1924 Colonial Roadster, 1924 'Bullnose' Morris, 1925 'Bullnose' Morris, 1936 JD AR
Location: South Island, New Zealand

Re: Chassis Paint Recommendation Request

Post by A Whiteman » Sun May 17, 2020 3:23 am

Thanks all,

Has anyone used Hirsch black: https://www.hirschauto.com/Super-Black- ... oducts/10/

Cheers
Adrian


Original Smith
Posts: 3284
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:43 am
First Name: Larry
Last Name: Smith
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 13 Touring, 13 Roadster, 17 Coupelet, 25 Roadster P/U
Location: Lomita, California
MTFCA Number: 121
MTFCA Life Member: YES
MTFCI Number: 16310

Re: Chassis Paint Recommendation Request

Post by Original Smith » Sun May 17, 2020 12:04 pm

Everyone has an opinion. I wouldn't brush paint on a car I cared about!

User avatar

TRDxB2
Posts: 5407
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:56 pm
First Name: Frank
Last Name: Brandi
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Speedster (1919 w 1926)
Location: Moline IL
Board Member Since: 2018

Re: Chassis Paint Recommendation Request

Post by TRDxB2 » Sun May 17, 2020 1:23 pm

Original Smith wrote:
Sun May 17, 2020 12:04 pm
Everyone has an opinion. I wouldn't brush paint on a car I cared about!
I agree about not brush painting the body but the discussion is about the chassis.
The past is a great place and I don't want to erase it or to regret it, but I don't want to be its prisoner either.
Mick Jagger

User avatar

Rich Eagle
Posts: 6789
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:51 am
First Name: Richard
Last Name: Eagle
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1909 TR 1914 TR 1915 Rd 1920 Spdstr 1922 Coupe 1925 Tudor
Location: Idaho Falls, ID
MTFCA Number: 1219
Contact:

Re: Chassis Paint Recommendation Request

Post by Rich Eagle » Sun May 17, 2020 1:41 pm

It is well to stay away from things you aren't proficient with or don't understand. As many of the old cars were brush painted back in the day some consider it to be more authentic than modern spray painting. Slow drying enamels can be flowed on with a soft brush very nicely. The slow drying lets the paint flow out without any brush marks. Brushing lets you get into the corners and behind things that a spray doesn't. I know of some cars that have won national awards that had the wheels and chassis brush painted. With a little practice and having the paint the right consistency most of us could learn to do it.
As said, it is not for everybody.
When did I do that?


Dave Frost
Posts: 22
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 6:24 pm
First Name: Dave
Last Name: Frost
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Unfinished 26 RPU and 26 Coupe
Location: Hammond, Indiana

Re: Chassis Paint Recommendation Request

Post by Dave Frost » Sun May 17, 2020 2:58 pm

What I did on a sandblasted frame. Brush painted a coat of rustoleum primer, waited a day and brushed on a coat of rustoleum gloss black paint and then a couple of days later went over it with rattle can rustoleum gloss black paint. Really smoothed out the brush marks and a year later while being stored out of the weather in a barn, the gloss has dulled nicely. Will be easily touched upped as assembly proceeds. My thought is whatever you choose, it will be a better quality of what came out of the factory.

User avatar

ivaldes1
Posts: 913
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 1:32 am
First Name: Ignacio
Last Name: Valdes
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Touring
Location: Houston, Tx
MTFCA Number: 50406
Board Member Since: 2016

Re: Chassis Paint Recommendation Request

Post by ivaldes1 » Sun May 17, 2020 4:34 pm

Okay, so many choices in black. So I am wanting to do a Speedster in white. What about that?

User avatar

Topic author
A Whiteman
Posts: 992
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 3:36 pm
First Name: Adrian
Last Name: Whiteman
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 TT, 1924 Colonial Roadster, 1924 'Bullnose' Morris, 1925 'Bullnose' Morris, 1936 JD AR
Location: South Island, New Zealand

Re: Chassis Paint Recommendation Request

Post by A Whiteman » Sun May 17, 2020 5:40 pm

Well, it just so happens POR15 is now available in a range of colours - including white.

One thing that 'hesitated' me with light colour is keeping the T lubed. That means oil will seep out and cover that nice white chassis and axle....

If you are a 'dab hand' with a rag on a regular basis it may well not worry you :-)

User avatar

TRDxB2
Posts: 5407
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:56 pm
First Name: Frank
Last Name: Brandi
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Speedster (1919 w 1926)
Location: Moline IL
Board Member Since: 2018

Re: Chassis Paint Recommendation Request

Post by TRDxB2 » Sun May 17, 2020 6:01 pm

Courtesy of the INTERNET
Attachments
77091.jpg
KimballStock_AUT-17-RK0027-02_preview.jpg
KimballStock_AUT-17-RK0027-02_preview.jpg (62.25 KiB) Viewed 6392 times
The past is a great place and I don't want to erase it or to regret it, but I don't want to be its prisoner either.
Mick Jagger

User avatar

Henry K. Lee
Posts: 5339
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:09 am
First Name: Henry
Last Name: Lee
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Many
Location: South Pittsburg, TN
MTFCA Number: 479
MTFCA Life Member: YES

Re: Chassis Paint Recommendation Request

Post by Henry K. Lee » Sun May 17, 2020 6:27 pm

The key in preserving metal is the removal of corrosion properly (sand blasting preferred), an introduction primer (etching primer), bonding primer 2k (catalyst style), then a quality enamel/urethane (catalyst style) top coat. You can get it in semi-gloss, low gloss, flat, super glossy.

Most will disagree and say powder coating etc. Powder coat is not paint period! It is a static charged powder that is after applying, melted on in an oven. One scratch and moisture migration begins and totally destroys from within. There is just no substitute for quality. Seen beautiful equipment, cars, etc totally rot from the inside out. If you do not wish to do correctly, leave it alone as you might do more harm than good. Painting is painting by using appropriate solvents in the soak and flow. Yes it is a total pain to paint wire wheels etc, but they look like paint and I can see powder coat from a 100 feet away.

Just me being picky!,

Hank

User avatar

ivaldes1
Posts: 913
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 1:32 am
First Name: Ignacio
Last Name: Valdes
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Touring
Location: Houston, Tx
MTFCA Number: 50406
Board Member Since: 2016

Re: Chassis Paint Recommendation Request

Post by ivaldes1 » Tue May 19, 2020 1:27 am

So what is the best way to clean and paint leaf springs?

User avatar

Henry K. Lee
Posts: 5339
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:09 am
First Name: Henry
Last Name: Lee
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Many
Location: South Pittsburg, TN
MTFCA Number: 479
MTFCA Life Member: YES

Re: Chassis Paint Recommendation Request

Post by Henry K. Lee » Tue May 19, 2020 3:59 am

Disassemble, sand blast, scratch wheel, re-sand shape the lays, install new bushings, pre-prime contact areas, coat hidden areas with a nickel anti-seize, assemble, prime and paint. No more crying rust stains for life.

User avatar

Charlie B in N.J.
Posts: 638
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 7:40 am
First Name: CHARLIE
Last Name: BRANCA
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: "27 Tudor / "23 Touring
Location: Brick N.J.
MTFCA Number: 28967
Board Member Since: 2010

Re: Chassis Paint Recommendation Request

Post by Charlie B in N.J. » Tue May 19, 2020 6:05 am

Many of you might recall the Model Garage series featuring Gus Wilson as the lead mechanic. I've read many many of the stories. The series started way back when ( 20's ?) as How To or DIY articles for Popular Mechanic readers with Gus appearing much later. Don't ask me to pin it down but there was a story where Gus brush painted his sedan and it was filled with tips and instructions on how it was done. As usual gus did a sterling job.
Forget everything you thought you knew.

User avatar

TRDxB2
Posts: 5407
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:56 pm
First Name: Frank
Last Name: Brandi
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Speedster (1919 w 1926)
Location: Moline IL
Board Member Since: 2018

Re: Chassis Paint Recommendation Request

Post by TRDxB2 » Tue May 19, 2020 12:30 pm

Complete step by step refurbishing Model T leaf springs. Includes some things you may not have thought of doing
https://modeltfordfix.com/repairing-the ... ar-spring/
The past is a great place and I don't want to erase it or to regret it, but I don't want to be its prisoner either.
Mick Jagger

User avatar

Quickm007
Posts: 1198
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 10:58 am
First Name: Mario
Last Name: Brossard
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 Touring and 1914 speedster
Location: Quebec City Canada
MTFCA Number: 30981
MTFCI Number: 30981
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: Chassis Paint Recommendation Request

Post by Quickm007 » Wed May 20, 2020 10:25 am

Thank you Frank sharing this link. The way I made it is more complicate for the same result as well with your way... Always nice seeing more efficient way to make it.
Super Mario Bross ;)

1911 Touring
1914 Speedster


OilyBill
Posts: 552
Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2020 3:51 pm
First Name: William
Last Name: May
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Runabout
Location: Tucson, Arizona

Re: Chassis Paint Recommendation Request

Post by OilyBill » Sun May 24, 2020 1:38 am

I agree with Charley Shaver.
Powder coating is the way to go. Gloss lasts a long time, fuel, battery acid, oil, have no effect on it. Very resistant to stone chips. If you do get a chip, you can touch it up with epoxy paint to fill in the scratch. I find that rust doesn't spread very quickly with powder-coated parts, because the coating is literally melted onto the base material, almost like stove enamel. If you get a chip and develop a spot of rust, if you probe the area, you will find that the boundary of the damage is the edge of the chip. Paint seems to let the rust proliferate and grow under the paint, but with powder-coating, the rust stays at just that spot. .
My take on restoration is that we are trying to duplicate the original assembly of the vehicle:
A. With the proper parts, correctly manufactured to the proper tolerances and fits.
B. Installed by a motivated, competent workman, doing the best job he could, as a professiona, using the proper toolsl.
C. using the correct hardware, with the correct orientation.
D. with the machine properly adjusted to best performance as dictated by the design.

I realize powder coating can be considered over-restoring, but I disregard that, as I do not want a display car in a museum, I want an operating vehicle that I can drive or tour with on a regular basis, that will look as nice as possible for as long as possible. That is, I aim for a SERVICEABLE restoration with dependable operation being one of the requirements. If I was restoring a vehicle for a museum display, that might be different. But I want my car to be reliable in use.

I was very fortunate that when I got into antique cars, I wound up joining a group of men who were absolutely RABID about dependable touring. One of them finished his 1910 EMF on a Thursday, drove it around the block to make adjustments that evening, loaded it up for the tour that night, and departed the next morning for a tour from Tucson to the Grand Canyon. This was before the interstate system existed, so that was a LONG first trip on a freshly restored car. I was fortunate to have ridden with him and his wife on many tours before I had a car, and in 40 years of touring, I only heard of ONE time he had a problem on the road. I wasn't on that trip, but people who were, said that his jaw was very tightly clenched when that happened.
Every one else in the club was similarly oriented. They were meticulous and careful with their restorations, made sure every system was restored to like-new condition, and then they fully expected their cars to perform on a high level.
I am just hoping I can keep their level in my own restorations.

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic