Powder-coating steel frame

[thefuz]

Hello, folks!


I'm upgrading to a 250 gallon from a 90 gallon (for sale thread on turnkey setup coming at some point in early 2015!!). It's got a steel stand but the stand is only covered in base primer at the moment (with a smidge of rust). There will be a facade covering the stand on all exposed sides but I'm trying to work out how I should prep the stand. Should I bother with powder coating? Just another layer of paint/clear coat? Something in between perhaps, like Herculiner?


If I go the power-coating route - is there anyone recommended around the area that's reasonable? I'm in Norwalk, CT but will be bringing the tank/stand out of Brooklyn next week. Can certainly drop it off somewhere on the way (a bit out of the way for this crew though! ).


Thanks in advance for suggestions!

 

[msl5078]

I can't recommend any places down that way, but the powder coating can be very expensive for a stand. There is a lot of waste due to overspray. Also if the stand is painted you will need to have it media blasted to get that paint off so the powder coating can properly attach to the metal. If you are looking for a cheaper alternative I would look at truck paint on bed liner. You would have to use some rust converter on it first for those few spots. Even cheaper you could get some appliance epoxy and spray it with the primer already on the stand. Scratches will happen, but the appliance touch up paint works well for that.

Best of luck with the new build.

 

[Triggreef]

American powdercoating in East Hampton is very good and I've used them many times. They are quite reasonable since they do well at keeping their overhead down.

I would suggest that painting will suffice though. I would use POR 15 and you should be able to go over whatever you have their. It looks and acts more like powdercoat than paint and will hold up quite well. I think its about $50 a quart though. You can spray or brush it on and even brushing it on it dries streak free looking much like powdercoat.

 

[thefuz]

Thanks! Looks aren't an issue - only keeping it from rusting. I'm not even sure that will be a concern b/c the sump will be located in the basement.

Just got a quote from a local guy here in Norwalk: $600 - ouch!!

 

[Suicideissleep]

I spray powder it's going to be expensive But if your up for the ride to southern mass give west side finish in holyoke mass they have a robotic line so it's cheaper for them and less waste if they are not cheaper let me know I will make a call. If you wanna go cheaper they sell the rock it kit bed liner it comes with everything even the spray gun for 250 and the stand will never rust make sure you grind,sandblast or chemicaly strip the rust before powder coat of painting and the stand will still rust even though sump isnt in it wish you luck



Trigg the por 15 works amazing but you have to epoxy over it the seal it but even still that shouldn't be over 200 after everything is said and done

 

[DFW]

Appliance paint in a spray can from the hardware store is pretty tough, and nice looking stuff, too! It is epoxy, and comes in black, white, almond I think. I sprayed the metal clothes drying rack that my wife hangs wet clothes to dry on. That was 6 years ago, and paint still looks like new. About the same time I used the black to spray my wood stand, and it looks like the paint on a fridge to this day. Shiny polished look, and easy to wipe clean. Get the can spray attachment and it's easy to handle.

Specialty Appliance Epoxy Spray Product Page

http://www.amazon.com/Rust-Oleum-243546-Standard-Spray-Grip/dp/B001KZC7K0

 

[thefuz]

Great stuff, all. Thanks!!

Next I'm onto digging up a structural engineer to let me know how much support is needed underneath this beast, if any. Tank will be perpendicular to the joists and the wall behind the tank is directly above the basement stairwell wall. LMK if someone has an engineer they'd recommend.

 

[Skydvr]

Another option is the Eastwood rust encapsulator and chassis black system. It's cheaper than the POR 15 and is a bit more durable. The inhibitor is self healing as well, so if you do scratch it (deep gouges are a different story), it will still prevent rusting. Not that I'd see that occurring on a stand. Has held up well on my Jeep.