Rust and Paint

I prefer a product like Fluid Film for the inside of anything. I use it on and in the frame, doors, fenders, springs, anyplace I can put it!

http://www.fluid-film.com/
Jim

Should also add that the inside should be treated also.
On my old class C I bought a cheap mop head and drug it through a couple of times with cheap paint. There is no real good way to do it.
Yes, you could take it off and find someone to galvanize it or sand blast then paint.

Lots of ways to do the repair. Only one way to do it completely right which would be to remove and have it media blasted. Now having said that, I would not go to that extent. I am a big fan of the rust reformer type products as mentioned before. The best one I personally have found is sold at NAPA. I believe made by Permatex. Seems to do a much better job than others I have used.

On painting it. I have good luck with Rustoleum with a foam brush or roller. If you are careful you can get it applied and it will level out as it dries. I also am a big advocate of mixing the Rustoleum with a "catalyst" or hardener. Although not normally seen at Lowes or HD. I buy it at Tractor Supply. It really make the paint last longer and fade resistant. Also makes it more fuel and solvent resistant. Just remember that what you mix will only last a short time so don't mix more than you will need or you will end up with a lot wasted.

Sure you can! I use spray a bit, it is OK.

On a project like this I prefer a small roller. Adding Flotrol (latex) or Penetrol (oil) helps reduce brush and roller marks.

Many are surprised to find out cars were originally painted by brush!

Coach painting is a very old fashioned method of applying paint to a surface using a brush leaving no trace of brush marks or any other imperfections. The finished surface has to look as if it was sprayed. Don't think of it as painting an outside toilet but a way of painting horse drawn carriages like the Queen's own coach that still is painted by hand, in later years motor vehicles even Rolls Royce's were all painted in this way. Also suitable for painting commercial vehicles like coaches, trucks, vans, and of course Land Rovers.

Yes, a brush puts a heavier coat on as well. That is one reason I like the Hammer-rite. I buy a quart can at a time and some cheap brushes.
This would be good also to look at the front of the rig, especially the front cross member.

bill257 wrote:
Instead of using the spray,can I use brush to paint.I can mask the back of the rig to avoid paint splashing.I am little reluctant to take the whole bar off and paint it that way.

Absolutely, using a brush (or foam trim roller) is just fine.

Instead of using the spray,can I use brush to paint.I can mask the back of the rig to avoid paint splashing.I am little reluctant to take the whole bar off and paint it that way.

I just redid the back bumper on our trailer. I wire brushed it with an angle grinder, then sanded it.
For finish I used rust paint (rustoleum equivalent in Canada). I fully masked the back of the trailer. We'll see how well this turns out.

For other areas on the 2011 trailer I used DOM16 The whole tongue has been coated with this as well as the stabilizers.

clean the rust and entire bar. I use rust-oleum Rust Reformer (Lowes, Home Depot, Wal-Mart) It bonds to the rust and gives a paintable surface, I have used it for several years. Just paint and rust will be back quickly. Quality paint is much better than cheap stuff. I had a coachman class c and bumper was like that. after painting with reformer and top coat 5 years later when I got rid of it , still looked good

To do it right would be to take it off the back , if the top looks like that the bottom/sides will be just as bad.

Take it off , wire brush/sand it down clean all 4 sides, wash it good with a strong detergent and a through rinsing then dried and wipe down with non tack cloth with alcohol,or any surface prep material. Use a good primer,a good quality paint then paint several thin coats...

You will get overspray on the back side of the MH if you leave it on and try to do it...

Now that that is taken care of and drying you can do this ;

While its off now you have a clear shot of the receiver hitch, get a piece of cardboard and rattle can spray the hitch while deflecting any overspray with the piece of cardboard...