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BB 55 Bubble · 02-04-2007, 10:44 AM

I received my new and improved wheel wells from the manufacturer a few weeks ago. I was advised to etch them with vinegar and clean with alcohol, and apply the coating of my choice. I used a rubberized under coating that I bought at Napa Auto Parts Part # 8400. First off it never did dry quite right; it is wet in some spots and dry in others. Second it is falling off in huge clumps 3 days after its application. Bug and tar remover seems to take it of. Any advice, should I prime, sand, try something different?
Beau

CanoeStream · 02-04-2007, 12:01 PM

Good question. Know from my Argosy end caps that epoxy paints will adhere after an etch preparation. Don't know that I'd want to sand the galvanizing. Was the NAPA product recommended by the manufacturer and did the label say it was for galvanized? Wonder if a truck detailer could spray on some bedliner?

markdoane · 02-04-2007, 12:32 PM

Don't use vinegar. You need to remove the oil coating first, then use any of the commonly available primers or etchants for galvanized steel.

Maybe the sheetmetal guy who did your wheel wells remembers his grandpa using vinegar. Grandpa probably didn't have anything else. You do.

Vinegar and zinc form zinc acetate. Not a good substrate for paint. Water soluble salt.

I did use vinegar to age some copper garden lights. Works great on copper, not so good on zinc.

BB 55 Bubble · 02-04-2007, 01:20 PM

OK it was a pain in the hinny to get any info on Sunday but alas I did prevail. So it turns out with a lot of scraping and Goof Off I did get the old coating off. I was informed by another sheet metal guy that indeed vinegar is BAD (wont work) instead a LIGHT!!! Sanding with a 50 grit paper and a through cleaning with denatured alcohol is the key. I picked up some Rustoleum primer and a product that I have used before called Dip It. It is a rubber coating that was designed to use as a protecting for tool handles. One can brush it on as a very thick paint with a foam brush. Works great as protection for the sheet metal and it also self levels with out running.