Painted My Axle
#1
Painted My Axle
I got a bit tired of looking at a rusty axle so I painted it with a product called Chassis Saver. It's similar to POR 15 in that it is intended to be painted directly over rust with minimal prep. I chose to try it because you don't have to brush on acid and rinse with water like you do with POR 15. Instead, all you need to do is a light wire brushing and a thorough manual wipe down with Xylene. Much less mess.
I went with Chassis Saver's silver aluminum first as a primer coat. It is supposed to be heavily filled with ground aluminum to fill in pits and irregularities.
I then wanted to top coat the silver aluminum with Chassis Saver's antique satin black.
Here is how my axle looked to begin with. Lots of ugly!
Next up, I chose to tape off some of the factory stickers and mask off the work area with painter's plastic.
The next few pictures are after wire brushing everything and thoroughly de-greasing with Xylene.
At this point I was ready to put on the first light coat of the silver aluminum paint. I followed this with a second coat once cured.
I then originally intended to coat the entire axle with the antique satin black paint. At the last minute I had the idea to just do the center section in black for a tough-looking two tone look.
Here is the finished product after removing all the masking. Looks like a proper muscle car axle now Don't fret about my 100% stock suspension, incoming mods are on the way!
I went with Chassis Saver's silver aluminum first as a primer coat. It is supposed to be heavily filled with ground aluminum to fill in pits and irregularities.
I then wanted to top coat the silver aluminum with Chassis Saver's antique satin black.
Here is how my axle looked to begin with. Lots of ugly!
Next up, I chose to tape off some of the factory stickers and mask off the work area with painter's plastic.
The next few pictures are after wire brushing everything and thoroughly de-greasing with Xylene.
At this point I was ready to put on the first light coat of the silver aluminum paint. I followed this with a second coat once cured.
I then originally intended to coat the entire axle with the antique satin black paint. At the last minute I had the idea to just do the center section in black for a tough-looking two tone look.
Here is the finished product after removing all the masking. Looks like a proper muscle car axle now Don't fret about my 100% stock suspension, incoming mods are on the way!
#5
I Have No Life
Nacs... wow, that looks amazing. Sadly, I (currently) have the axle look that your before pics depict
I might have to do this as well. It's probably embarrassing at car shows
Question: What did you use to paint on/with the stuff?
I might have to do this as well. It's probably embarrassing at car shows
Question: What did you use to paint on/with the stuff?
#10
I appreciate all the nice comments guys. This is one of those jobs that is kind of a PITA and you hate your life at the time, but very rewarding in the end lol.
#12
I Have No Life
I know right? I was going to say that next. Heck, I don't drive mine in any form of precipitation, but I think his is way cleaner than mine
Very cool man. The brushes should be a no big deal - throw away - because you can buy a bunch of cheap brushes probably from Lowes or Home Depot, right? I wouldn't bother saving those brushes. It's not like we'll be painting these axles every year. lol
Thanks man! I went out to some local home improvement stores and purchased a variety of different shaped brushes. Some broad for the larger areas, and some long and skinny for getting into tight spots. I did get a few brush marks here and there, but most of it leveled out nicely. This paint is really tenacious though, so consider your brushes a one time use for this job. I tried soaking some in lacquer thinner and xylene to clean them, but once the paint starts to harden that's it for them.
I appreciate all the nice comments guys. This is one of those jobs that is kind of a PITA and you hate your life at the time, but very rewarding in the end lol.
I appreciate all the nice comments guys. This is one of those jobs that is kind of a PITA and you hate your life at the time, but very rewarding in the end lol.
#13
Thank you for the thread. Mine looks about like yours did in the beginning, except for less rust on the drivers side due to the axle vent leaking. I have been thinking about doing something about it, but was not sure about what to use. This thread was very helpful and provides a good option to cover the rust.
#15
I bought the Chassis Saver paint here: https://www.jbtoolsales.com/magnet-p...inum-8-oz-can/
One 8 oz can in black and one in silver at $12.96 a pop.
The cans are tiny but I surprisingly had a good amount left over to save for future touch ups. I poured the paint into a disposable cup and worked from that. The paint is moisture-curing so you want to keep the can sealed when not immediately using. The more humidity, the faster it cures.
#18
Legacy Tms Member
#20
Shelby GT350 Member
That's what I was thinking... I'm almost positive mine is nice and black from the factory. I originally opened this thread thinking "so what" but you did a great job and it looks fantastic, so nice job and thanks for the posting!