Painting under MH

[et2]

I'm considering painting under the MH to prevent rust ( and fix what rust is there). So for those who have done this, what support have you used after the MH is raised to prevent it from coming back down while under it.? I have two jack stands but probably not that heavy duty. So if the MH is 28k to 29k I'd need 4 jack stands capable of 7000 - 8000 lbs? Or 6 at 5000? What do you do? Location should be along the chassis frame?

I'm assuming you use the hydraulic jacks on the MH to raise it ? I really dread doing this painting, but it needs to be done. I haven't inquired into having someone else do it, but I'm sure it won't be cheap. Camping world in Belleville MI. has a body that will do it, I guess I can get a estimate from them first.

[Daveinet]

Born To Travel wrote:
If you want to do it right, This is the best stuff you can use.. Stops rust and prevents it from coming back.. http://www.por15.com/

I would strongly disagree. Spent a bunch on money on their kit and the rust was coming through their paint in less than a year.

Permatex sells some cold galvanizing paint that seems to work well.
http://www.permatex.com/documents/TDS/industrial/82039.pdf

[Fleet_Man]

Treating the corrosion on the underside is an annual maintenance chore for me. Wire brush and rust converter spray as necessary on the Winnebago metal work. Never had a problem with the Freightliner treated components. I have six, six inch ramps made of stacked 2x12's which give me plenty of clearance to slide under the axles on a creeper and not have any concerns of anything collapsing on me. The ramps make lubing the chassis and changing oil a lot more convenient too.

[timmac]

Auto part stores sells a rust converter, no prep or primer needed, just spray on and it converts the rust and stops all future rusting, I am thinking of doing some areas under my Bounder that has some rusty metal, its not bad yet but over time it will just get worse.

Here's a Youtube link on a product and how easy its to apply..

http://youtu.be/s5DIWzsVGJA

[Born_To_Travel]

If you want to do it right, This is the best stuff you can use.. Stops rust and prevents it from coming back.. http://www.por15.com/

[downtheroad]

nope not saying you should ignore it...like I said, "Just asking."

[et2]

downtheroad wrote:
Just asking...do you paint under you cars?

Cars go through a much better rust preventive measure then the frame and structural steel on a MH ever do. If I'm not mistaken a car body has a dipping process to seal the metal.

My MH has rust along the bay frame work. Some areas were never painted properly. Not like its a 1/4" thick. I'm pretty confident if ignored rust spreads eventually destroying the metal completely.

Are you saying this is something that should be ignored?

[downtheroad]

Just asking...do you paint under you cars?

[et2]

timmac wrote:

et2 wrote:
I'm considering painting under the MH to prevent rust ( and fix what rust is there). So for those who have done this, what support have you used after the MH is raised to prevent it from coming back down while under it.? .

As to your sig you have a Fleetwood diesel motorhome, just raise the air bags and support frame with jack stands, no need to raise any higher, should be able to slide right under and spray away..

I thought about that, but I'm a little thicker than I used to be 🙂

[timmac]

et2 wrote:
I'm considering painting under the MH to prevent rust ( and fix what rust is there). So for those who have done this, what support have you used after the MH is raised to prevent it from coming back down while under it.? .

As to your sig you have a Fleetwood diesel motorhome, just raise the air bags and support frame with jack stands, no need to raise any higher, should be able to slide right under and spray away..

[gbopp]

Double check the ratings of the jack stands if you're going to raise your MH. They're probably rated by the pair, not single jacks.

Taken from the Jackpoint Jackstands site:

Load Rating – Jackpoint Jackstands are rated at 4000 pounds. The industry standard for jack stand load rating is to rate jack stands in pairs. Jackpoint Jackstands are rated to satisfy ANSI standards. According to ANSI standards, a single jack stand from a pair must support one and one half times the total rated load for the pair. That means a single jack stand for a pair rated at 4000 pounds must support 6000 pounds. Jackpoint Jackstands have been physically tested to meet or exceed the ANSI standard.

[rgatijnet1]

Here is a link to a place that sells products for rust coatings/conversions/treatments, etc for chassis. Eastwoods
Some of the products can be applied right over the rust and they will convert it and seal it to help prevent more rust. Just find the product that you thinks will work out the best.
As far as jacking the motor home up, I personally would only do one end at a time to improve stability. I would not try to get the whole coach up in the air. Use your leveling jacks to get one end up as much as possible and then put two heavy duty jack stands underneath the frame for safety. 12 ton jack stands
Remember the jack stands have to be on a surface that can support the weight. Gravel, dirt, grass, sand and most asphalt will not. Concrete is the best choice to support the weight on the jack stands.

[SCVJeff]

In general I would say it's not necessary unless you travel the roads when salt is being tossed.
Having said that, a friend just sent pix of the Journey 32T he completely painted underneath, but that is because they spend 2weeks a month all year within 30' of the surf line, and the salt gets everywhere. So for him it makes sense.

[sch911]

I have really never heard of anyone doing this. For me it's a wire brush a can of black spray paint. Raise up the hydraulic jacks, get on my back, crawl around, and go over small area's that might need it. It's not a full scale thing.