Okay, I have searched and couldn't find the answer, so i want the opinions of you guys. So I have recently installed a full set of frame stiffeners from HD. It is almost time to paint. But I have no idea what to use. When installing the stiffeners we didn't use weld through primer.(The stuff we had was junk. So it is just raw metal in the backside of the stiffeners and on the "frame" itself. We tried to get the stiffeners to fit perfect, but we all know that won't happen. I live in Ohio, so rust is an issue. How would you go about painting this thing to try to seal up all the little gaps and such?

 

something that lays on thick. little bit of bedliner in some spots maybe? I was going to try to find some sort of industrial caulking for mine. really wish I had used some galv primer this time around but I rushed through the process. if you come up with anything innovative let us know. I'm still open to ideas

 

Yeah, I have no idea, I was thinking the same thing, using some bedliner on the gaps I can see. I have also thought about using caulking, RTV, or seam sealer in those spots. I Have no idea. I was thinking of trying to spray paint or primer in the gaps, just as a desperate attempt to get paint in there. I don't know. Also, should I prime the whole thing before I use Berliner/paint? Could I use bedliner on the whole thing?

 

the ****ty thing about bedliner is trying to take it off when you realize you want to weld more stuff to your frame. as far as primer etc, usually it will have instructions on the can

 

Yeah. I plan on welding everything to it be for I paint. My 2x6 rocker/sliders sill have 2 or 3 supports to the frame. I mean what else would I really want to weld to it? I am also going to fashion up a support to the frame for the leaf hanger. Aside from that, I can't imagine anything else I would weld. I''ll be running my tnt long arms, so I won't be welding link mounts or anything like that.

 

Try using 5200 marine caulking in all gaps and paint over it really thick.

We use 5200 caulk for on boats and ships. When it cures, it hardens as well as damn well near epoxy.

 

Okay, does bed liner soundlikea good idea?

 

I did bedliner on mine and it's worked well so far, at least from what I can tell. Big thing is getting all the gaps filled so nothing can get back in there.