Zero Rust

[John G.]

Have any of you used the 'Zero Rust' paint for frame and suspension components? Seems this paint can be used over cleaned but lightly rusted (patina?) surfaces with good results. I'm looking to do the A-arms and frame with in a base coat satin or flat finish, then finish coat over the A-arms with a semi gloss paint. I didn't find anything in the archives related to the Zero Rust paint. Are there any opinions out there on this stuff ..?
Thanks ..
John

[Christopher R.]

Re: Zero Rust

Never heard of "Zero Rust." The popular paint you see for this is "POR-15." See the archives for discussion on that. I've used Eastwood's "Rust Encapsulator" with good results. See the Eastwood discussion (propaganda) on their Web site comparing their "Rust Encapsulator" vs. "POR-15." If you go to a good sized parts swap meet, you'll probably find a franchisee selling POR-15.

[Chuck R.]

Re: Zero Rust

Hi John,

I picked up a gallon from J.C. Whitney at a reasonable price and used it to coat the interior surfaces of my frame, Differential crossmember and trailing arms.

Seemed to cover well and grabbed well onto lightly rusted surfaces.

The frame has been setting for over a year now with no sign of surface rust re-appearing.

Just like POR, it is recommended to "top coat" the Zero Rust as well.

Chuck

[John G.]

Re: Zero Rust

Thanks for the replies, Chris and Chuck. Just got a J.C. Whitney catalog in the mail today - been years since I looked through a Whitney catalog. I'm figuring to use the Zero Rust as a base paint on my cleaned up ready to go A-arms and then use semi gloss over that. The Zero Rust website says this paint can be used without having to add a topcoat. If it looks flat enough I just might use this stuff on the frame too by itself.
John

[Chuck R.]

Re: A word of caution

Zero Rust will behave just like POR in the respect that if you apply heavy coats, your going to have a thick soft sub-surface, so be careful on just how much you apply.

The finish surface is very dull and all most semi-flat in appearance.

When I did my control arms, I used a self etching primer and top coated with John Deere chassis black. I just didn't see any great advantage in putting Z.R. on the arms as my ride will never see the corrosive environments of thirty plus years ago. I figured that stone nicks and scars would STILL happen even with Z.R. on them.

Regards,

Chuck

[John G.]

Re: A word of caution

Hmmmmmmmm.........well, having second thoughts now about the Zero Rust. Basically, all I want is a paint that will act as a good primer base and seal up the bare metal and some slight but cleaned up former rust surfaces on my A-arms. I have heard of the 'self etching' primer but I haven't checked it's properties out. Which self etching primer did you use, Chuck ..? . Seems it worked well for you.
John

[Chuck R.]

Re: SEM Products

Comes in black, grey and green.

I bought it from a local auto body jobber.

Regards,

Chuck

[John G.]

Re: SEM Products

Ok, thanks for the lead, Chuck.
John