Best Way to Clean Frame

M

MTME-50

Hello,
I hope this topic hasn't already been beaten to death, but I'm pretty new to this whole painting business and I could use some advice. Actually, a lot of advice.
Basically, my dad and I have had a 1950 Chevy 3100 pickup for 19 years (He bought it when I was born, hoping to have it on the road so I could have it as my first car. That didn't quite work out). Right now, I'm getting ready to prime the frame. We had it sandblasted about 4 months ago, but I have been working on it in the meantime. It has some penetration oil (Kroil) and surface rust on it now. I just got done grinding the rivets out yesterday (I bought a TCI rear leaf spring kit to replace the old ones), so there is also some 60-year old rust where the brackets used to be. How clean does the frame need to be to spray the SPI Epoxy primer on it? Can I just use the solvent and water-based cleaners, wipe it off, sand it with an 80 grit DA, and clean it again before I spray? Or should I sandblast it again to get rid of the grease?
Second, I'm going for a show truck look with this project. I plan on using body filler on any imperfections in the frame and boxing it. Does this plan sound reasonable? Clean and sand the frame, epoxy it, sand the edges of the frame rails so I can weld the boxing plates on, weld the plates in, re-prime with more epoxy, body filler, and two final coats of epoxy.
I'm going to a university out of town, so I only drive back home to work on the frame on the weekends and I would like to have a plan before I get back home. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-Chris
 
Get all your welding done first. The degrease it, the penetrating oil may be difficult to remove. I would use engine degreasers, dawn dish soap, simple green-these can all work as a first step. Use a brush and hose or pressure washer and rinse it really good. Follow that with SPI solvent based cleaner and waterborne cleaner. Spot blast the areas behind the brackets. Shoot two good coats of epoxy then apply filler to all the areas needed the next day.
 
Bob Hollinshead;24798 said:
I would use engine degreasers, dawn dish soap, simple green-these can all work as a first step. Use a brush and hose or pressure washer and rinse it really good.

Wow, that was quick. Thanks a ton, Bob. The only question I have after that is, won't the pressure washer rust the frame? Or is it safe to use it as long as I get the solvent cleaner on the frame as soon as I wipe the frame dry?
Sorry if these are stupid questions; I've never done this before and I tend to be a bit over-cautious. But, thanks a ton again. You guys are awesome.

-Chris
 
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