Does anyone know how to protect bare metal for weeks?

"Redbulldidlo" (Redbulldidlo)
02/10/2014 at 00:58 • Filed to: None

I've got a project that I'm working on, and I need to sandblast the frame. I can only set up something to let me sandblast bits at a time, and I barely have the time to do it. Should I just leave it bare, should I cover what I get done in plasti, or find a way to prime it?

DISCUSSION (20)

Kailand09 > Redbulldidlo
02/10/2014 at 01:06

How big is it? You could just rub a layer of mineral oil on it. Usually keeps the rust out.

Redbulldidlo > Kailand09
02/10/2014 at 01:10

It's relatively small. it's a tube frame dune buggy chassis, probably something like four feet at the widest, and maybe ten feet long.

Singhjr96 > Redbulldidlo
02/10/2014 at 01:13

Shrink-wrap?

Kailand09 > Redbulldidlo
02/10/2014 at 01:23

Ah, not too big.

Might need a lot of mineral oil, though. I restore high carbon steel razors from time to time, and mineral oil is the simple and easy way to keep them from rusting. Same with the knife I made out of high carbon steel.

It works, but does leave a film of oil on the metal.

hollanddjw 1 > Redbulldidlo
02/10/2014 at 01:23

Remake the whole frame in aluminum! :p

Redbulldidlo > hollanddjw 1
02/10/2014 at 01:26

In a few years, sure.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Redbulldidlo
02/10/2014 at 01:27

What is your plan for final coating? Powder coat? You might want to consider using POR (Paint over Rust) Super durable coating and this way you could just paint directly over whatever surface rust develops while it's outside.
http://www.por15.com/

911e46z06 > Redbulldidlo
02/10/2014 at 01:28

My grandpa restored classic planes, and whenever he left bare metal exposed, he would rub it down with olive oil before he left the hangar for the day.

It's definitely old school as hell, and I don't know if it even actually works, but there ya go.

Zoom > Redbulldidlo
02/10/2014 at 01:49

Apply WD40.

Repeat.

BJohnson11 > Redbulldidlo
02/10/2014 at 02:59

While it might be tempting to just spray some primer on it, be aware of what your future plans for final coating might be. If you just spray some primer on it without much prep just to protect it from the elements, you'll want to come back and strip it all back down before you do your final coating. I'd say get some wd-40 or some old motor oil and rub it down. That way, when you go to do your final coating, you'll still have to acetone the frame to get the oil/dust and crap off, but at least you wont have to resand it.

Enginerrrrrrrrr > Redbulldidlo
02/10/2014 at 03:31

Like the guys have said, use some sort of oil to cover what you have stripped. Once you need to paint it, or whatever you need to do, dawn will take the oil off really easy. Just make sure you dry it quickly and paint it soon after so the water in the soapy mix doesn't start the oxidation process.

MGBhoon > Redbulldidlo
02/10/2014 at 06:31

Afterblast from Eastwood.com or a similar product..there are tons of different ones out there made exactly for this. You simply spray it down with this stuff after blasting and well, that's pretty much it...I wouldn't recommend oil as it would be a real bitch to get it clean and prepped for paint.