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Topic: Rust Under the coach (Read 1211 times) previous topic - next topic

Rust Under the coach

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.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Rust Under the coach

Reply #1 –
Rustoleum claims it will stop rust.  It will be interesting to see how it looks in a year.
John Cooper
'91 GV 36'
Oshkosh chassis
Cat 3208T 300HP

Re: Rust Under the coach

Reply #2 –
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 Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Rust Under the coach

Reply #3 –
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 and Gail Mathieu
99 U320
Jeep Liberty CRD
Build number 5522

Re: Rust Under the coach

Reply #4 –
Felix,
 
Your job will last longer than mine. 
 
George
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Rust Under the coach

Reply #5 –
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.
Felix and Gail Mathieu
99 U320
Jeep Liberty CRD
Build number 5522

Re: Rust Under the coach

Reply #6 –
Quote from: fjm502 –
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 Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Rust Under the coach

Reply #7 –
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.
Felix and Gail Mathieu
99 U320
Jeep Liberty CRD
Build number 5522

Re: Rust Under the coach

Reply #8 –
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....
POR-15 3 Step Application Process
Or visit their website:
http://www.por15.com/

FWIW,
Best regards,
Neal
The selected media item is not currently available.
Neal (& Brenda) Pillsbury
'02 U320 SPEC, 4200, DGFE, Build #5984
'04 Gold Wing
'07 Featherlite 24'
'14 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit
MC #14494
Exeter, NH & LaBelle FL
Quality makes the Heart Soar long after Price is Forgotten

Re: Rust Under the coach

Reply #9 –
Quote
I learned about an ultimate preparation and rust preventative coating used by show vehicle, marine and aviation perfectionists. 
It is called POR15.
Nice find Neal.
Looks like some long term protection for areas you only want to treat once.
Instant Karma for You.  8)
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Rust Under the coach

Reply #10 –
I have heard nothing but good things about POR15.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Rust Under the coach

Reply #11 –
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
"97 40' U320 build 5035

The best things in life are not things.... It's fulltiming in a Foretravel.