Christopher J Posted May 17, 2015 Share Posted May 17, 2015 I've been looking at some of the various builds here by a number of you builders...beautiful stuff to say the least. When it comes to cars I feel like I'm on point in most cases but trucks I'm still a rookie to. One of the things I've noticed is a number of you all build up your chassis/frames with the suspensions and afterwards you paint them. Being an OTR driver I know truck frames and most components on them are painted the same color, what I'm curious about is how to guys get good coverag with your paint without being too heavy or light in some crevices and such, especially those using rattle cans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petetrucker07 Posted May 17, 2015 Share Posted May 17, 2015 I usually hang mine from a wire then go around and around, up and down, very lightly. Let that dry then hang it the other way and repeat. I let it dry then look it over from how it's going to sit then do touch as needed. After I'm satisfied with the coverage I'll clear it using the same process. Hope that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilrathy10 Posted May 17, 2015 Share Posted May 17, 2015 (edited) Clayton has a great method for going about it.....The only thing I would suggest is that you prime the frame with flat black of some sort....Flat black has a way of getting into those crevices without much of a problem.....Then you can paint the frame whatever color you want.....If you can't get great coverage in those spots, the flat black will give the illusion of a shadow being cast.....Hiding the mishap in plain sight, basically.....Just a trick I've learned by trial and error....Works great for me and my rattle cans..... The frame on this Lonestar was painted orange over flat black....Very difficult to see any places where paint didn't cover....And there are a couple here and there..... Edited May 17, 2015 by kilrathy10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Brian Posted May 17, 2015 Share Posted May 17, 2015 It takes a time or two to figure out how to get paint in all the crevices without running everywhere else. I try to shoot trouble areas around the rear suspension and things first and let it dry then do a coat over the whole thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petetrucker07 Posted May 17, 2015 Share Posted May 17, 2015 Clayton has a great method for going about it.....The only thing I would suggest is that you prime the frame with flat black of some sort....Flat black has a way of getting into those crevices without much of a problem.....Then you can paint the frame whatever color you want.....If you can't get great coverage in those spots, the flat black will give the illusion of a shadow being cast.....Hiding the mishap in plain sight, basically.....Just a trick I've learned by trial and error....Works great for me and my rattle cans..... The frame on this Lonestar was painted orange over flat black....Very difficult to see any places where paint didn't cover....And there are a couple here and there..... I forgot to mention that, the primer. But same process non the less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbill Posted May 17, 2015 Share Posted May 17, 2015 Some times I will try to find primer or a flat paint the same general color of the actual color I am going to use on the frame, so if you do miss a spot/crevis, it doesn't show as bad. It seems to me that the large cans of flat paint ( like from Walmart/lowes/home depot) have a lot of pigment in them, and are very forgiving if you really lay it on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher J Posted May 17, 2015 Author Share Posted May 17, 2015 Thanks for all the great replies and help. Taking a bit of each of these ideas and I should be successful on my next paint job coming up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Most Posted May 17, 2015 Share Posted May 17, 2015 I like to paint the insides and ends of the crossmembers, and the insides of the frame rails, first. I may skip this step if the crossmembers are mostly flat, but if they have an I-beam shape or lots of undercuts, I'll paint them before installation into the frame. Then I'll scrape away any paint where I need to apply glue, assemble the frame, and paint the rest. That's the best way to guarantee you'll "hit" everything and end up with no bare spots- or fewer bare spots. Going with a primer which is close to the intended color helps too, just in case. Using an airbrush helps put paint into those hard to reach spots, but isn't mandatory. Finding a paint that covers well without overloading the parts is also a big plus. If I just need a basic black frame, I like to use Krylon Rust Tough flat black straight from a rattle can- it covers very well and dries quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilrathy10 Posted May 17, 2015 Share Posted May 17, 2015 Yep...As Anthony has said, there's more than one way to skin a cat....But I think you should be armed with enough information to get that next frame painted up nicely.....I do like the semi gloss clear idea, though....I might have to give that a try, as well, Anthony.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anarximis Posted May 18, 2015 Share Posted May 18, 2015 what i did was build the frame and then put it on a wire hanger painted it as best that i could get the problem area first as the frame dried i built the axles and other components the were to be put on the frame and the painted them i would then test fit the parts to check where the part touch after that i sand the paint off in those areas and glue the parts on when the glue is dry i touch up the paint as needed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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