Painting heavy equipment ?'s

JXN said: We repainted 2 old concrete mixers in the winter, since we were changing out the worn out drums for new, freshly painted ones. The new ones were tied down on a trailer, awaiting installation. Maybe it was not secure enough, because the paint got scuffed in the 3 places where it was blocked, and rust ensued. Will this spread like an infection if I dont act upon it? The drum manufacturer lists the paint as "basic white", but skimming Sherwin's website there doesn't appear to be a corresponding color specification. If the colors are mismatched I will have to think of some kind of small design to paint over the affected areas. This could create visual problems as far as continuity of design or symmetry as the drum rotates, but maybe I've got bigger problems. View attachment 364479 View attachment 364480 Click to expand... Stickers, or a decal. I have been known to throw a sticker over I dent that I just didn't want to mess with. Being right on the weld you could do pinstripe on the verticals or both the vert and horizontal. I have had great results with Sherwin Williams matching things. You have to find the right store with the employees that have the right attitude, I have one that I will drive out of my way to go to, but the company policy is they will keep trying untill they get it right.

JXN said: We repainted 2 old concrete mixers in the winter, since we were changing out the worn out drums for new, freshly painted ones. The new ones were tied down on a trailer, awaiting installation. Maybe it was not secure enough, because the paint got scuffed in the 3 places where it was blocked, and rust ensued. Will this spread like an infection if I dont act upon it? The drum manufacturer lists the paint as "basic white", but skimming Sherwin's website there doesn't appear to be a corresponding color specification. If the colors are mismatched I will have to think of some kind of small design to paint over the affected areas. This could create visual problems as far as continuity of design or symmetry as the drum rotates, but maybe I've got bigger problems. View attachment 364479 View attachment 364480 Click to expand... Give it a year of salted roads and unwashed off concrete splatter, and those little streaks will be the least of your problems. I'd mask off a little rectangle and shoot it, if it really bothers you. We've been trying to get a crane or two painted every year, and it seems to take longer every time. It is a huge pain having a painting project in the shop, there's overspray and sanding dust everywhere. I'd like a separate place just for painting, but $$$$. I've got a guy who comes in for the painting, because I just don't have the patience, and am too lazy to do a nice job. A couple hours sanding and I'm done and ready to shoot paint. My current guy is super fussy, and he does a super nice job. I'm of the "it looks great from 50' at 50mph" camp. He gets the paint from a industrial paint supplier. I have no idea what it is, but its expensive, and it holds up really well. I've got some trailers and equipment I've used cheap paint on, and it looks ok for a year or two, and then it really starts chalking or fading. Spend the $$ for good paint.

Not like anyone is shooting Imron anymore but for our Machine paint, it’s a 2 part epoxy that has to get brushed or rolled on. We’ve tried thinning it with Acetone, paint thinner and even Xylene but it comes out crappy. Can’t keep it from running, before the hardner kicks in then you can’t get the runs out till it dries. Funny thing is, like Xylene, can’t buy that paint in NH, have to go to Mass for it.

Xylene is all but phased out in the traditional stores here in Texas. So is MEK and a few others I can't remember. I understand why these solvents are phased out from the big box stores but it's also frustrating for when you really need a certain solvent and now it becomes a scavenger hunt. I was told most of the commercial Sherwin Williams and most West Marines stock xylene and MEK but I haven't even finished my last gallon of xylene so haven't been on the lookout for more lately. Also told anywhere that sells good automotive paint will also stock it and sell it to everyday customers. Sounds like each state is unique in what's allowed or not...like bottle rockets!

JXN said: We repainted 2 old concrete mixers in the winter, since we were changing out the worn out drums for new, freshly painted ones. The new ones were tied down on a trailer, awaiting installation. Maybe it was not secure enough, because the paint got scuffed in the 3 places where it was blocked, and rust ensued. Will this spread like an infection if I dont act upon it? The drum manufacturer lists the paint as "basic white", but skimming Sherwin's website there doesn't appear to be a corresponding color specification. If the colors are mismatched I will have to think of some kind of small design to paint over the affected areas. This could create visual problems as far as continuity of design or symmetry as the drum rotates, but maybe I've got bigger problems. View attachment 364479 View attachment 364480 Click to expand... That looks like a Con-Tech drum. They sell spray cans in that color. Or, they would be happy to share the paint code. Take the code to your favorite paint store and they can mix you up a couple spray cans. Or, fix the rust and slap some vinyl on the drum. Wrap it with your logo I would remove the rust with a maroon 3M pad and touch it up. Easy Peazy. But, I keep pride in my ride and that’s how I roll to the job. But, your mileage may vary.

I am just seeing that it is between the horizontal seems. You could put your company name on top and your phone number on the bottom, letters and number 1/2" bigger than the rust spot fix the rust first and repaint, obviously

That is correct- it is a Con-Tech drum. I am now particularly interested in obtaining some paint or the code from them, so that will be my next step. It will remain unbranded for the time being. Thanks for the suggestions.

I just purchased 1 gallon of PPG 2 part epoxy primer and 1 gallon of PPG Delfleet urethane in Cat yellow with with activator and hardener it was $1,100.00. High performance paint is very expensive. I always degrease, degrease again, hot pressure wash, abrasive blast white and rinse with Holdtite, prime, then paint within the no scuff window. It is a lot of work but quite satisfying when it comes together with better than a factory paint job, Especially the crap Case put on my hoe and Kubota put on my CTL.