Asphalt-base vs. Quanta System 5 frame paint

[Gary B.]

I'd like to hear some feedback from people about the choices in a top coat for painting a mid-year frame. On the Quanta Products website, they recommend that if one wants to use something more durable than the original asphalt-based frame paint (which Quanta sells), to use instead the Quanta Frame and Chassis Black (QS5-3 Medium). Another alternative I've seen on the NCRS DB is GM Reconditioning paint. Does anyone have any experience with either the Quanta QS5-3 Medium paint or the GM reconditioning paint for which one offers a closer approximation to the original asphalt frame paint?

Thanks,

Gary

[Mike Geary]

Re: Asphalt-base vs. Quanta System 5 frame paint

I painted my frame with Rustoleum #7777 satin black and have been extremely happy with its appearance, durability and ease of touch up. Because of its slow drying time, it levels out just great. I would not even consider going to powder coat, epoxy, DP90LF, or anything else.

Get a spray can of the Rustoleum 7777 and try it out on a trailing arm or control arm to see what you think.

[Gary B.]

Re: Asphalt-base vs. Quanta System 5 frame paint

Mike,

I'm definitely not considering powder coat, so that choice was easy to eliminate. Did you consider the Quanta System 5 medium when you did your frame? I've heard from one person who said he thought the sheen of the System 5 medium was too flat, but the Rustoleum satin sounds closer to flat than glossy as well. I got an e-mail from Quanta yesterday in which they definitely recommend the medium 5 for those that don't want to go the asphalt-base route.

Gary

[Mike Geary]

Re: Asphalt-base vs. Quanta System 5 frame paint

Gary:

I didn't really give Quanta any serious thought, since the Rustoleum 7777 has worked so well for me on previous frame projects. It's also so cost effective: under $15 for the entire frame. As a primer-filler, I used a poly primer called "slick sand". It filled the pits effectively and was easy to block sand out.
Yes, of course, this was on frame sections that NOBODY will ever see....except in my pre- body drop photos!

Mike

[Gary B.]

Thanks Mike *NM*

[Wayne C.]

Re: Asphalt-base vs. Quanta System 5 frame paint

I used flattened Dupont Imron (over the Imron-recommended primer) on mine to achieve a durable satin finish... but I wasn't restoring the frame for judging, I wanted it to look fairly original yet be durable.

An option to consider is to use a durable paint as a basecoat and topcoat that with original asphalt-based paint.

[Gary B.]

Re: Asphalt-base vs. Quanta System 5 frame paint

Wayne,

I'm considering your last suggestion, but I'm hoping there is some top paint that
looks like the asphalt-based stuff, but has better resistance to fluid spills.

Gary