Rust and Flaking Paint

[dlajoie]

Upon inspecting the underneath of our 2003 2720SL, I was surprised to see the extent of rust and flaking paint on underfloor frame crossmembers and torsion bars. We live 30 miles from the ocean but bought our TM on Cape Cod. I know salt air could be a culprit but suspect poor quality paint or preparation at the factory is more likely. Are there any out there with similar rust or an opinion on how to deal with it. I'm thinking I have to sand, paint, and/or use spray undercoating - looks like quite a job.

I have the same problem. I live right on the coast and mine is rusting pretty good also. What I have done was bought me a little wire brush and some Spray paint with rust inhibitor and I just keep up with it. I guess being in the Navy I'm used to this concept. haha

There's some stuff called "Rust Doctor" that will stop the rust and then you can paint over it. http://www.therustdoctor.com/ I used another brand that worked well, but I can't remember the name of it. You have to get the worst part (read loose) of the rust off and then you put the rust killer on. It will turn black and when it dries you paint right over it. My frame looks new now. I used "Rustoleum" paint over the rust killer.

I too live on the coast and have already had to repaint the LP tanks and the bed supports. They need it again. The tounge, jacks and frame are next. I am going to try the spray on bed liner stuff from NAPA on the tounge and frame.

[Bill]

Live2shopnc -

Hey, that should be a great idea! Let us know how it works. I've tried the rust converter stuff, with less than sterling results.

Bill

any outcome on all of this. I was under mine the other day adjusting the brakes and noticed the torsion bars were awful. got a wire brush after them and cleaned off all the flaked areas (which is basically the entire bars under the frame)
would just painting them at this point be good enough. I wonder if the stress on them might have caused them to rust / flake like that.
any suggestions??
Thanks

[ShrimpBurrito]

Using a brush, I painted the A-frame (tongue) on my TM with 2 or 3 coats of black Rustoleum. The rock chips and associated rust spots were back in less than a year. I think it's more a problem of abrasive road debris.

Dave

[Wavery]

Originally Posted by ShrimpBurrito

Using a brush, I painted the A-frame (tongue) on my TM with 2 or 3 coats of black Rustoleum. The rock chips and associated rust spots were back in less than a year. I think it's more a problem of abrasive road debris.

Dave

Using a brush on an exterior surface has a lot of disadvantages. For one thing, the uneven surface from the brush strokes leave places for water and dirt to accumulate. This causes bacterial growth that attacks the paint and the under lying surface.

When you spray the surface, you end up with a coating that is less likely to trap particles and will reflect the harmful UV rays from the Sun. A rough surface will absorb UV and break-down much faster. It's not all about esthetic's.

Before you paint you must be really sure that all rust is gone. I used cheapo harbor freight sandblaster. (VERY IMPORTANT -- USE EYE AND BREATH PROTECTION!)
After that I just brushed it on, primer first and then a layer of rustoleum.
It's held up two years and miles of towing.

[TexasCamper]

Yes, the coastline salty air is corrosive, but I wouldn't blame all of the TM's rust & flaking paint on that. My TM spent its first year in a trailer lot in Illinois and now has substantial rusting of the same parts mentioned in this thread. Many of the white paint on metal parts (clips, etc) are flaking off too. Thanks for the latest posts....it saved me some time; I was planning to search this topic!!!