Thoughts on paint

[rylee144]

Now that the lift is done I am going to start saving for the 4x4 swap. I have a couple rusty spots and the clear cost is peeling everywhere.

 

1)Does this need to be addressed as soon as possible or is it fine for at least a year?

2)If I should get to it soon can I sand it down then spray it with black primer? 

 

Here are some photos of the areas i am concerned about and the peeling clear coat. 

[Smokeyyank]

That's pretty minimal and nothing looks like cancerous just surface rust. The clear coat peeling is no issue. My MJ has 0 clear left. If you want to sand it you can but I'd go with a self etching primer. 

[rylee144]

I've never really painted anything. If I use that wouldn't I still have to sand off the flaking paint and clear coat?

[NHMJXJ]

I would address the surface rust forthwith!  You can never do that too soon. 

 

As to the clear, there's nothing you can do about it.  If the paint is checked/cracked your prep for paint will cost you as much as the paint itself. 

[Minuit]

You'll want to remove the surface rust and cover it up with something to keep it from getting worse (and not just primer either, it attracts moisture) while you're waiting to have it painted.

[Smokeyyank]

3 hours ago, rylee144 said:

I've never really painted anything. If I use that wouldn't I still have to sand off the flaking paint and clear coat?

 

Only on the areas that have light surface rust. Peeling clear coat I wouldn't even bother with until you are ready to paint. 

 

Nice thing with primer is it doesn't need a clean and smooth surface to bind, it helps, but isn't as crucial as a full on paint job. If you just want something on it, give it a scuff with some 220 spray the self etching and rattle can it to seal it. Just leaving it as primer is just about as effective as not doing anything. 

 

Since you're not in a rust belt state personally I wouldn't do anything until you are ready to 100% do it all. What you have is nothing crazy bad and I'm just of the mind set no need in do the work twice. 

[dasbulliwagen]

I agree too, if youre going to do anything, don't leave it in primer. Spray it with some Rustoleum or similar for a topcoat until youre ready to do the whole truck. That will seal out any more moisture from getting to it again. 

[Hudy]

On 6/7/2019 at 3:24 PM, dasbulliwagen said:

I agree too, if youre going to do anything, don't leave it in primer. Spray it with some Rustoleum or similar for a topcoat until youre ready to do the whole truck. That will seal out any more moisture from getting to it again. 

 

I came to this realization a few months ago. Did some rust repair on my DD, sprayed it with primer (with my own conclusion of “good enough”) and a week later there was surface rust showing through. Only then did I look into it and realize that stuff draws moisture in. All this time I’ve just been making things worse...

 

anyway, yeah: primer and paint. 

[Jeep Driver]

When it comes to bodywork.........nothing good comes from a rattle can. 

 

And.......depends on what primer as to whether or not is attracts/absorbs moisture. 

 

Mine has sat out for 1.5 years in primer in the weather...........not a hint of rust anywhere.

 

Also, to disagree with what's posted above.........apply nothing over rust, dirt, scale, lose material, clean first. 

 

You are better off doing nothing until you are prepared to do something and when you do something.........do it right. 

[rokinn]

Personally I would sand it down to bare metal sooner than later.  Rust can eat in pretty deep in tiny pits pretty quickly.  It's best to get it all if you can.  The rust converters don't seem to work all that well.  A year is longer than you think when it comes to rust.  Prime it, paint it in a matching Duplicolor.  You can get the code for the color on the vin plate.  You can even spray clear coat on it if you like.  Cromax A-7480S is a high quality one.  Be sure to wear a good respirator and eye protection.  It's pretty toxic.  If you do it in the garage give it plenty of time to clear before inspecting your work.  Ask me how I know!   The rust on the right front and rear of the bed are deeper than you think.  Stitch in time and all that.