Painting cut metal

[cuboid]

I picked up my new Ironman Underbody Guards last night and was trying to fit up tonight. Unfortunately the front guard is not compatible with my ARB bar and I am going to have to do some angle grinding. My question is what is the best way to paint the cut metal to prevent rust? Can I just hit it with a bit of spray enamel or do i need to prepare it better than that?

[Dave]

Hi, I highly recommend putting on a undercoat/primer. Given the 4x4 exposure, an anti-rust primer would be best. You can get little tins from Supercheap auto or even Bunnings. I'm told the spray-on primers have cheap paints/primers, and should be avoided.

I have a small tin of "cold gal" primer that I can bring along to the next outting if you wish. It's tough stuff (and virtually impossible to remove if a drop gets onto your shoe laces). Then it's just a matter of putting in some car-bog, and spraying the car colour over the top.

I once had a Holden GH wagon that loved to rust. So I became very good with removing rust and repairing the holes.


Dave.

[Capella_Ben]

So you reckon the spray on primers aren't much chop? I might try to get some of that primer for my spot lights. They should come out of the de-rusting bath today.

[maverick01]

Too be honest if your cutting steel then your best rust proofing it with red oxide and yes its a dark red paint but its a very good product. It will take about 48hrs to dry and then after that you can spray over it with any colour and type of paint as you like..