The Frame Job

I decided to use POR15 instead of Rustoleum paint on the frame after sandblasting it. POR15 is a high-tech, high performance coating that they say will stop rust permanently. Unlike other paints, POR15 is designed to be coated right onto rusty surfaces, leaving a beautiful, rock-hard finish that won't crack, chip or peel. POR15 is the paint of choice for frames among the high rollers in the antique car world. So I figured I would give it a try. We will see if it lives up to it's reputation.
And so, we pulled Maggie's chassis out of the garage and into the light of day for a blasting. We covered the engine with plastic. Sand from a blaster has a way of finding any orifice available. I decided to sandblast the frame lightly to remove the more scaley rust only. From what I understand, the critical factor with POR15 is a grease free surface. To get underneath the longerons, we took instruction from Mr. Stain of The Gods Must Be Crazy. Raising the Rover is a lot easier than laying on the concrete, in sand, sand blasting upwards. If you do this yourself, use some common sense. I blasted the frame, the wheels, and the axles. All will be painted with the gloss black POR15. The remainder of Maggie will be tan.
Because of my lack of experience with POR15, just how far to go with the frame prep is an unknown. The POR15 folks say that any surface rust can be painted over, but that is somehow tough to accept at face value. At any rate, each pass of the blaster removes a bit of metal as well, so I am letting that thought guide me.
A change of venue is on the drawing board for Maggie. I found a deal on a set of Rocky Mountain Parabolic springs that was just to good to pass up. They are two leaf rears, and with Maggie's hardtop on, I am wondering about stability. Ray Wood of Wise Owl assures me they will be fine. So the eternal question arises.....replace the springs before painting the frame, or after?

Some people find mice in their frame
but here in Louisiana...........

Danger Will Robinson! Please remember that these pages are for entertainment. They are not a how to guide on vehicle maintenance or restoration. If you winch your Rover into the air to work on it, it may fall. If you are under there working when it does, You will be crushed. You will quite possibly die. You are responsible for the stupid decisions you make, and your own safety. I will not be held responsible for any dead doofuses. For more of this legal CYA stuff, click here.

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