Cage paint how-to

Subzilla said:
Finally finishing up my roll cage. What’s everyone’s favorite (or the best) paint for the cage? Primer?
Click to expand...
If it’s in the budget, you won’t find a better rattle can then Steel-It. The absolute best coverage I’ve ever seen. You can cover with one can what’ll take 3 cans of anything else.
 
braxton357 said:
Steel it is alright but it goes on really thin and pricey as hell. If you want gloss black go to sherwin williams get their sherkem alkyd enamel and spray it on with a $30 lvlp gun
Click to expand...
We must have gotten different cans. I helped Cutler spray his chassis and it took 9 cans to put 2 coats of silver on it. Made me regret buying my case of Rustoleum paint and primer mix.
 
BigSouth said:
We must have gotten different cans. I helped Cutler spray his chassis and it took 9 cans to put 2 coats of silver on it. Made me regret buying my case of Rustoleum paint and primer mix.
Click to expand...

Yeah I like the stuff and have used it a few times but have also had small rust spots pop through. Could be user error for sure or possibly it doesn't like to be sitting outside full time
 
Make sure to wire brush and prime the welds first that’s where I see a lot of rust showing through on old cages. I tarped the vehicle including running the tarp under the feet. Still had a few areas that needed a brush, but you can spray paint into a plastic container until enough builds up and use a brush so you get color match
 
BigSouth said:
We must have gotten different cans. I helped Cutler spray his chassis and it took 9 cans to put 2 coats of silver on it. Made me regret buying my case of Rustoleum paint and primer mix.
Click to expand...
That's almost $300 in rattle can paint. You can do a really nice acrylic enamel metallic for the same money.
 
I use high end touch up paint for an ornamental steel fence I sell. It’s an expensive rattle can. I used a case of each. The primer has zinc.

I pumped their primer and paint on my cage in a frigging hurry about 3 years ago and it’s still fine. Just been sitting in my yard on jack stands.

In fact the paint on the cage might be the best part of the whole mess.
 
braxton357 said:
go to sherwin williams get their sherkem
Click to expand...
X2. I have used this stuff for years. Great stuff. Its about the same price as rust oleum but much more durable. I compare it to the Caterpillar paint. The only thing I have noticed about it is it dries to the touch pretty quick, but needs to cure for 2 weeks. During those 2 weeks you can about scrape it off with your finger nail. After those 2 weeks its hard as powder coat.
 
After painting the frame and flatbed of my Mega Hauler I’m now a big fan of just brushing/rolling on large items that need to be painted. Time will tell if it holds up well, but it sure goes a lot further than spray paint, less mess, goes on thicker and doesn’t run as easy. If I was painting up a freshly trussed axle or frame or cage, anything like that I’d go that route, and just spray any places I couldn’t reach.

Also, I really wish I’d have taken the time to remove my custom cage before it was painted. The places I could not spray a year ago have started to show a lot more now.
 
I typically just use 2 or 3 coats of Krylon CoverMax or Dual or whatever their paint and primer in one is. It seems to hold up to normal wear and tear from getting in and out of the rig. And when you bang it off a rock or scrape it on a tree, you just touch it up with another cheap can. Prep is the most important part of painting.
 
Back
Top