Ideal 55

Hi Guy's

Thought I might ask a couple questions on rack refinishing.

I have removed the rack parts and because of the rust condition I opted to use a wire brush cup on my electric drill to strip down the paint and rust.

Most areas where I have brushed down to bare metel look bright and shinny but there are several areas that are spotted and/or stained. One rack area in particular has deep pits where the rust was removed.

I was thinking of just using bondo to fill in the pit spots and then prime and paint.

Will the bondo be o.k. in a refriderated area?

If so, I thought I might:

1) Complete wire brushing all areas. Should I then sand over entire areas with at least 220 sand paper?

2) Spray down with a acid etcher, let it dry.

3) Apply bondo to pitting areas, sand and smooth.

4) Apply an Rust-Oleum automotive primer (spray can areosol). Two coats. Let cure and dry a couple days.

5) Apply Rust-Oleum (spray can areosol) top coat paint. Let cure and re-coat. Would another top coat of clear paint help here? (spray can).

Do you think this method will be O.K. for the rack parts?

It is to cold in my garage to use my compressor for painting that is why I am using the spray can areosol paints this time. We have tons of snow here right now and it is REAL COLD!

Do you have any suggestions that might make this rack come out nice and pretty?

Thanks for your help.

[Jim]

Duane,

I definately like the idea of you wanting to tackle this yourself; however, painting the vending rack of a Slider is not going to take the abuse of bottles sliding down the painted surfaces.

Perhaps a few others will chime in on this one but this a perfect case for powder coating!  I'm not sure if you have access to a sand blaster, but this would be the best way to eliminate all the rust/coating(s) currently on the rack.  Then take it to a local powder coating facility for re-finishing in a color very similar to the original...  To see if it's within your budget, locate a couple of local powder coaters and get a quote for the vending rack parts.

As far as the pits are concerned, powder coating can greatly reduce these too!

Thanks Jim

You are probally right about the paint job not being able to with stand the abuse of bottles sliding across the rack all the time.

I have completely wire brushed the rack parts so I guess I will check with a powder coating company in my area.

The only thing that bothers me is that I am sure the pitting will still be noticable. '>

This is a spare rack I have so if it is too costly to powder coat I will just use my other one I have which is in excellent condition and just needs touching up.

The idea was I can afford to try new things with the spare rack of not so good condition as opposed to messing with my good rack.

Thanks for your time.

[MoonDawg]

Jim was right about paint on racks, won't last a month before you start seeing rust again.  Sandblasting is reccomended prior to powdercoating, and many of these companies have a sandblaster already.
      The pitting is only of concern on the top viewing area, and  I don't believe filling with bondo will last. The coating is applied at 300 degree's.  Can you have a welder fill & grind? Flapper is aluminum and does not withstand heat too well. Since it won't rust, I usually spray paint mine.
       When you get a price quote, they have a minimum charge per color, so you can get both your racks powdercoated for the same price as one and still be under their minimum. Why not send the inside shelf and side door liner as well?

                                                                   Glen

Jim and Glen

Thanks for the advise. I do have a sand blaster but as I said it's real cold here right now so I am doing my machine restorations in my basement where it is warm and comfortable. Trouble is though I am geting paint and metal dust everywhere. I accidently spray painted the carpet floor with over spray. Whoops-Ha-ha!

Anyway I will check with a powder coater for the price to do  both racks, two shelfs, and two door liners.

As far as the two bed liners one is still installed in a working machine and the other is out in the garage. The one in the garage I can powder coat also but I did not want to take the working machine one out at this time.

So, how about sanding, brushing the working machine bed liner in place and use a 98% Zinc based Cold Galvanizing Compound spray on the liner? I could still even top coat to match the powder coating on inner shelf and rack?

The idea is that the Zinc Compound is made to cover galvanized metal and resistant to flaking, chipping etc. and the color is a close grey to the original paint on the liners.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Thanks