Best Paint for Battery Compartment?

[subtroll]

After 10 years of inattention, I'm in the process of restoring the battery compartment in our coach. It has two Kwikee slide trays for the 4 coach and 2 engine batteries. The slides are badly corroded and the compartment walls are badly rusted.

I've removed the batteries and trays and plan to rebuild one and replace the other. Now I'm cleaning, wire brushing and preparing to repaint the compartment walls.

I'd like to locate a two part Urethane or Epoxy paint but other than garage floor paint in expensive gallon cans, the best I can find is Rustoleum Epoxy Appliance paint. Any suggestions?

[deltamaster]

rgatijnet1 wrote:
First use a baking soda solution to completely neutralize any acid that got in to the compartment. Then use the proper epoxy primer. Afterwards I would use a paint specifically formulated for battery compartments. Acid proof paint

When I was in the Air Force as a mechanic we used that stuff on all the vehicle battery boxes. It seemed to wok well when applied liberally. That is what I would use.

[stripit]

two travelers wrote:
I redid my battery box last year. First I cleaned it with baking soda several times. Then, I used the POR-15 cleaner, then the paint. After a few months, the POR-15 was peeling up. I sanded it real good put Rustoleum on it then found a plastic battery tray that held the batteries and, no more problems. Don't know what happened with the POR-15 but it was terrible would never use again.

I have things that are coated with POR-15 that have lasted over 15 years, still looks like it did when they were coated. If it peeled off it didn't bond. If it didn't bond it wasn't clean well enough. Not that you did anything wrong, but the stuff will stick when the surface is good enough to let it work.

[two_travelers]

I redid my battery box last year. First I cleaned it with baking soda several times. Then, I used the POR-15 cleaner, then the paint. After a few months, the POR-15 was peeling up. I sanded it real good put Rustoleum on it then found a plastic battery tray that held the batteries and, no more problems. Don't know what happened with the POR-15 but it was terrible would never use again.

[stripit]

POR stands for paint over rust and it does exactly what it was intended to do. It is a 1 part air dry epoxy that sticks to everything it is applied to if properly cleaned first. Be sure if you use it to wear long sleeve shirt and gloves with eye protection. You will NOT wash any overspray off. If you opt for the sliver color and it gets on you, you will look like the Tin Man for a week or more. Don't ask...

[okgc]

Another vote for POR-15

[n4hwl]

I used truck bed liner spray in a can and I liked it. I think I got it at wall mart but a better quality could probably be found elsewhere

Ken

[powderman426]

Tom/Barb wrote:
we removed the trays, had them bead blasted and powder coated. our compartment walls were not corroded so we sprayed them with CRC corrosion preventive. when the batteries went in they sat on a 1/2" layer of baking soda. the whole compartment gets washed and cleaned every 6 months.

This is the best approach, but many do not want to take the time and trouble. Epoxy is best, but eurothane is good it it will be in sunlight.

[DSDP_Don]

Another vote for POR. My previous coach came with a large sheet of plastic (about twice the thickness of a place mat) covering the battery tray floor. It worked well and was easy to clean.

It sounds like you're doing a nice job rebuilding the compartment. When you get done, you might think about adding the ProFill automatic watering system. It's battery caps seal the batteries and keep the acid down. It also makes filling the batteries a breeze. You can check/fill all batteries in under 5 minutes.

I'm sure you diagrammed your batteries when you removed them, but as a safety precaution, I like to reconnect everything and before I add the ground cable, I put a volt meter in line and check that I'm at 12 volts, not 6 or 18.

[Sully2]

I used POR-15 on my own 2 years ago. Looks great

[RoyB]

I have sprayed a rubber based paint around my battery trays etc with good success too...

Roy Ken

[Tom_Barb]

we removed the trays, had them bead blasted and powder coated. our compartment walls were not corroded so we sprayed them with CRC corrosion preventive. when the batteries went in they sat on a 1/2" layer of baking soda. the whole compartment gets washed and cleaned every 6 months.

[Victhedude44]

Another thing a boater friend told me is to set the batteries on a rubber pad and much less or no corrosion.

[Twomed]

2x. POR15. Dries to solid glass like finish. Kills any existing rust.

[23hotrodr]

I have had great success with many battery compartments in RVs, autos, and golf carts, by preping as previously suggested and then coating with POR-15 paint or Loctite Extend rust converter. Then I top coat the entire area with Dupli-color Bed Armor truck bed coating. This is easy to do and lasts a long time.