This morning I finally screwed up enough courage to raise the coach and put two 11.5 inch lengths of 2 inch galvanized pipe next to each air bag. Then I dragged and pushed these old bones underneath to have a look around. I sprayed soapy water on everything that looked like an air hose connection and did not see any apparent leaks.
But what I did notice was some rusty scale on the heavy steel that supports the gen-set. So I put on goggles and wire brushed the loose rust away. I took a short cut and bypassed the treatment with ospho and went straight to spraying on Rustoleum primer. I figured this was better than nothing.
If I ever win Lotto, I will have a big pole barn constructed with a pit underneath for my mechanic to use.
Rustoleum claims it will stop rust. It will be interesting to see how it looks in a year.
It's a decent product. I really think the ospho treatment is best and then followed with Rustoleum, but I just didn't have the desire to add another step to the process. Next October I'll have to ask my mechanic if the rust has returned. :P :P :P
George, just did my transmission cooler since it had a good bit of rust. Wire brushed followed by phospho than primer and rustoleum final coat. Will see how it will hold up.
Felix,
Your job will last longer than mine.
George
I took extra care since it was the transmission cooler and it seems that someone had developed a leak from corrosion in the past and this cooler is no longer available.
Now that really got my attention. Where is the transmission cooler and what does it look like? I might take this on in a more serious way next month.
George,
Transmission cooler is just to drivers side of the engine next to the radiator. Just follow the hydraulic lines from the back of the transmission. It is cylindrical in shape and about two feet long.
Year's ago, I learned about an ultimate preparation and rust preventative coating used by show vehicle, marine and aviation perfectionists.
It is called POR15.
It works particularly well on High Temperature applications like our hydraulic coolers.
Most auto body shops and marinas don't routinely use the product because it is a time consuming, four (+) step process (Degreaser application, wash, dry thoroughly ,rust remover/preprimer application, wash, dry thoroughly, (2) thin rust preventative paint applications, dry, then the final paint for your application). It sounded like marketing hype until I used it the first time. The effort is well worth it if you have the time and a particular need that warrants the effort. While the lifetime of Rustoleum will usually be measured in months, if the surface is properly prepared, the POR15 lifetime, when correctly applied, is generally measured in decades. It is about the same cost as other good paint plus Ospho processes, but from what I have seen on show car frames, marine and farm tractor restoration projects, it would be very hard to find something better.
Here's a couple U Tube links that give some insight
How to Remove Rust Easily and For Good! POR-15 is The Best Product Out There.... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFo-MlDNBXc)
POR-15 3 Step Application Process (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvcepMwqmZs)
Or visit their website:
http://www.por15.com/ (http://www.por15.com/)
FWIW,
Best regards,
Neal
Nice find Neal.
Looks like some long term protection for areas you only want to treat once.
Instant Karma for You. 8)
I have heard nothing but good things about POR15.
Done right POR15 is awesome... I have this friend with a classic motor yacht that has steel fuel tanks, the tanks had a lot of rust and some rust jacking just like on some Foretravel bulkheads, our fear was the tanks were going to rust through if something was not done. Per the yard he had two options..... Option one was to replace the fuel tanks, this would of required cutting a hatch in the top of the cabin and removing the twin 6-110 motors to get the tanks out and the new ones in...... Option two was to clean the rust off and use POR15. John's thought was that would buy time for him to fill the Brinks armored truck with $$$$ needed to pay the yard bill when they replaced the tanks... That was over 5 years ago, and no signs of rust to date.
Cheers
Ted