What paint to use
 

About 15 years ago I bought a new shorty 32 pick up box from Mack's products in Missouri. I'm just getting around to painting it. (No one can say I rush into things!! )
It was manufactured using sheet metal with what appears to have some kind of coating. It's not galvanized but it is silver and it has not rusted in all this time. I think it came with a spec sheet/instructions that detailed what kind of paint to use. Can I find it ? NOOO !!
So I am asking for help.....does any one remember this type of metal and what kind of primer/paint to use on it.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance, Phil

Re: What paint to use
 

I used PPG single stage on mine and it has held up quite well. But if you are unsure you could contact Mack to see if they do have a recommendation.

Re: What paint to use
 

I don't know if this is your situation but years ago I had some parts "redi stripped". They put on a temporary rust preservative coat and gave the instructions to wash it off with water. The bodyman ignored the instructions and used lacquer thinner to remove it. My paint came off in sheets. This is probably not what you have but I think I would call Mack's and get the answer from them.

Charlie Stephens

Re: What paint to use
 

A quick update:
I just spoke to Mack's in Moberly, Mo. (660 263 7444 they make great repro beds & parts)
The bed is made of "Paint Grip Steel"
The young lady on the phone said to acid wash the bed and then prime it.
She made no recommendations as to which products to use.
Sooo I'm still researching
Thank You Charlie and Sidevalve8ba for your quick replies.

Re: What paint to use
 

That's a loaded question. I like PPG concept single stage, it gives you a "closer" to lacquer depth of finish (IMO) than base/clear does. As for primer you'll get arguments for acid etch -V- epoxy till the cows come home and the end of time combined.....I like acid etch...I like that it grips the metal and doesn't encapsulate (for lack of a better term) the metal. Which ever way you decided, CLEAN and PROPER prep followed by clean and proper prep and clean and proper prep is the KEY!!!

Re: What paint to use
 

Phil, I would first put a coat of epoxy primer on and then paint it. I just finished painting my car using TCP Global's acrylic urethane which is that same type of paint that PPG concept is. The cost though is about 3 times more for PPG. The photo shown is right after I painted the car and not after color sanding and buffing.

Re: What paint to use
 

I also used a 2 part Acrylic Urethane system from www.tcpglobal.com. Go to their site and look at the "custom shop" listed on the left of the page. I also used their primer and prep. This was my first attempt at painting a vehicle and even when using a Harbor Freight $15 hvlp spray gun I loved both the project and the outcome.

Re: What paint to use
 

If you have the patience,you could do a "stick test". Paint a small area using whatever method you prefer and let it dry for a few days or so. Then stick a layer of tape over it and pull it off. If the paint comes off with the tape,try another method.

Re: What paint to use
 

Hi; there are some nice single stage urethans available for about a $100 a gallon. Imported from eastern Europe I believe. I have been using them, and like the results. Newc

Re: What paint to use
 

Paint grip steel is good. Clean it well with wax and grease remover to remove mill oil and fabrication/handling contamination.
I would sand it with 180 prior to priming.

Re: What paint to use
 

After Googling "Paint Grip" steel it sounds to me that it has been given a phosphatized coating that is ready to paint as received so I'm guessing that after sitting it maybe be needed to recoat with Ospho or similar. If it were me I'd test a small section with Ospho. But maybe a better idea would be to call the young lady back and see if she would give you contact info for shops that have used their products and call them for advice.

Re: What paint to use
 

Rustoleum

Re: What paint to use
 

If it was mine, I'd thoroughly clean it with a wax/grease remover and then I'd sand it with about 180 to 220 grit . . . as thoroughly as possible. I'd also use coarse ScotchBrite for all the hard to sand places - really helps getting a good bonding surface.

If there is any bodywork to be done, I'd do it on bare metal and then use something like Evercoat Z-Grip Lightweight filler - it has a corrosion inhibitor in it as well.

If there was any rust at all - sand and neutralize it. Then I'd use an acid-etch primer as a first coat.

Then (acid etch primer or not) a high-quality epoxy primer - two medium coats. Epoxy primer is hard to sand, but really sticks to stuff well and seals it. You can always use a high-build primer over the epoxy if you need to block sand and make something super straight.

Plenty of ways to do this, plenty of opinions . . . the above is mine! LOL

Re: What paint to use
 

I bought my truck bed from Mac Hils also. I cleaned it as Bored&Stroked said then primed, blocked and used base/clear PPG.