Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I have a 10 year old single stage snowblower that's undergoing a full restoration this winter. I got the snowblower bucket disassembled from the chassis and engine. The bucket has been completely stripped down to bare metal. I want good adhesion and abrasion resistance and I'm willing to put in the time and money to get the best paint job that I can do myself without sending out.

What do you guys recommend for primer and paint? Any preparation techniques in addition to stripping down to bare metal and roughing up the surface?

One technique that I got from a painter for building multiple coats is to apply two coats in succession "wet on wet" meaning apply the second coat while the first is tacky . Let those dry then sand between coats as you normally would. Don't get to crazy with the # of coats as this may be problematic.

I do see some durabilty issues here but good luck.

O

What's the benefit of this technique? I don't see it how it makes the paint finish better, or better adhesion.

You don't like Krylon?

I wire brushed mine before I painted using a drill and angle grinder. If I had a sand blasting booth I would have used it. I forget the number of coats, but I thought it came out rather well. It was thicker than the stock paint, but pretty smooth and shiney.

When working on car bodies you use primers with high solids to build up surfaces (e.g. http://www.sherwin-automotive.com/products/show_product.cfm?product=P50)  But as trout2 said, you aren't going to spray a light primer dusting on a dark primer and block sand, fill, and do it again. It is a snow blower not a show car.

Paint finish is secondary. I was looking for durable paint that can take the abrasion of the snow, sand, and the rotating paddles. The original paint was worn off inside the bucket.

There is powder coating and epoxy enamels. The latter are used on show and antique car chassis.

http://www.por15.com/Single-Part-Topcoats/products/4/

aa335 wrote:

Better adhesion as opposed to sanding where you may miss a spot especially  in a tight area. I use this method  painting/coating anything. If time is ever  a factor it also allows faster build up of multiple coats.

Try Krylon Contractor Primer and Farm and Implement paint.

I know you asked about paints, but powder coating would be the best finish. You could try calling around to different coating shops. See how much it would cost to have them just add your parts to a batch of work they're already doing if an exact color is not all that important.

iLikeOrange wrote:
There's no rush this time.  The snowblower is going to be out commission for the whole winter.  I'm taking it slow to make this paint last another 10 years.  I'm probably going to let it fully cure between coats.

JimmyM wrote:
Yeah, a few guys at work also recommend powder coating as the ultimate durable finish.  I'll check that out.

 I found a "Epoxy Appliance"  paint for stoves and such at home Depot ...  They only had black and White,  but is sure was tuff stuff..(nice gloss too)

Just a note..... we paint and cure things at work from time to time,  I recommed a heat lamp (french fry lamp)  for getting things done in a timely manner. 

Friiy