If you have a frame that needs some work, Rustoleum appliance paint might have an unexpected solution.
Although the brand’s advice is that no priming is necessary, it is still required to prepare the frame for the product. That means you’ll need to strip down the application areas and give the chassis a decent power wash before trying to apply the Rustoleum.
When you have rust or corrosion, it must get bead blasted or wet sanded to the bare metal. Once you get to that point, you need to wipe it with acetone to ensure enough etching is available for the paint to catch.
Question About Rustoleum Appliance Paint for Frames
Rustoleum appliance paint comes in a can or as a spray epoxy product. It’s primarily designed for indoor metal surfaces, but it can also provide a protective coating for your frames. When the instructions are correctly followed, you’ll get a hard epoxy finish that resists abrasion and washes easily.
What makes Rustoleum appliance paint such a joy to use on frames is that it develops a genuine epoxy coating. The product only needs about 25 minutes until it is time to apply the second coat, and then you can keep adding more within that timeframe.
If you’re using Rustoleum appliance paint for motorcycle or automotive frames, you’ll need to apply at least three coats to get the surface protection desired.
After you apply the Rustoleum appliance paint correctly, you’ll receive a washable surface that delivers an ultra-hard, factory-like finish for your frame. That formula ensures that your rust prevention efforts obtain results without requiring an expensive application process.
◼️ Product Overview: Rustoleum Appliance Paint
When you purchase Rustoleum appliance paint for frames, the best option is to select the 12-ounce aerosol epoxy cans. You can pick up a glossy or matte finish in multiple colors to get the washable surface you need and the rust protection you want.
The epoxy dries hard to the touch after two hours, even if you’ve followed the 25-minute coat protocol for extra resilience. You’ll get up to 15 square feet of coverage for each 12-ounce can purchased.
Here is what you can expect when using Rustoleum appliance paint for your upcoming frame project.
- It provides a washable, moisture-resistant finish that dries to the touch quickly.
- No primer is needed at the application site if the frame has been correctly prepared to receive this material.
- The paint offers a self-leveling formula that delivers a smooth finish, making the structure look like it came straight from the factory.
- If you make an error while applying it, the appliance pain cleans up relatively quickly with mineral spirits.
- You’ll receive superior resistance to scratches and abrasions when using this product.
If you live in California, the Prop 65 warnings apply to this product. You might find it easier to use the can-based paint with a brush to get the desired results.
How to Paint a Motorcycle Frame Without Taking Out the Engine
Rustoleum appliance paint aims to save time, energy, and money when restoring a motorcycle frame.
After removing the extra components, you’ll have the engine remaining in the unit. Although it is considered a best practice to remove it before painting, you can skip that process by following these steps.
1. Prepare the motorcycle (or another vehicle) frame for the painting job. That process starts with the fuel tank. Each one is different, so you’ll need to ensure you’ve located the tank bolts. There’s usually a large one located between the tank’s base the seat front. Some bikes come with multiple attachments.
2. After you get the bolts out, wiggle the front of the fuel tank back and forth to help it slide off the rubber mounts. It should pull up easily, but don’t pull hard if it feels stuck. The part might release suddenly, smacking into the handlebar clamp and scratching or denting the frame.
3. Remove the instrument cluster, oil tank, headlight, handlebars, and any other parts that shouldn’t get painted or will be replaced as part of the work.
4. Use sandpaper, scrapers, or a wire brush to remove grease, mud, dirt, and other large debris. If you’re working on an older motorcycle, the frame could have decades of built-up grime to manage. All that gunk needs to disappear before using the Rustoleum appliance paint. It might be tempting to leave the wheels on the frame, but the job will be easier if you balance it without them. You’ll also get to access the hard-to-reach places that often get skipped during a restoration effort.
5. Blast away any rust spots that you’ve found on the frame. If you don’t remove the corrosion, it will continue growing underneath the epoxy coating that gets installed. Please remember to wear an appropriate respirator for this work and not the cheap dust masks out there to protect your health.
If you don’t have a sandblaster for your motorcycle frame, heavy-grit sandpaper will get the work done with some extra grease.
6. After all the rust is gone, sand the metal with 150-grit sandpaper to smooth out the surface. Then you can use a 320-grit product as the final preparation step before adding the Rustoleum appliance paint.
7. Once everything is cleaned and prepared, pour some grease and wax remover on a lint-free cloth. You’ll need to wipe the entire frame several times. It’s not unusual for the rag to turn black the first few times you follow this step. If that doesn’t happen, you’ll need to use a better removal agent. Don’t touch the metal with your bare hands because the natural oils from your skin could cause the paint to bubble.
8. Use masking tape and newspaper to protect the engine brackets, bolt heads, and the other shiny parts of your motorcycle. That includes the wiring harnesses and the engine block. You can expect overspray from the Rustoleum appliance paint to go everywhere.
9. After you’ve prepared and protected the frame, you’re ready to start painting. Each coat of the Rustoleum appliance paint needs 25 minutes precisely before it’s ready for a second layer. If you go beyond 30 minutes, you’ll need to wait seven days before continuing. It helps to use about three light coats for the entire frame, although you can go up to five without experiencing concerns.
10. Right after finishing your final coat, remove all the masking and tape that protected your motorcycle components. You’re less likely to pull up paint sections when it is still wet.
11. Wait until the next day to start reinstalling the parts you took off the frame to paint it. While you’re letting the epoxy cure, you can get to work on the motorcycle forks using the same steps outlined in this guide.
How to Remove Rust from Metal
The common tactic for removing rust from a metal frame is to sandblast it away or use heavy-grit sandpaper and plenty of elbow grease.
Although this methodology is effective, it can also lead to small dips in your metal that require correction. If you have extensive work to do before applying Rustoleum appliance paint, it might be easier to refresh the surface instead of grinding it.
One of the most effective ways to reduce or eliminate corrosion is to soak the area in vinegar. If you have extensive rust over the entire motorcycle frame, giving it an overnight bath can help you restore it quickly. You’ll need to take a wire brush to the affected areas after removing it from the acidic liquid.
Baking soda works well if your motorcycle frame has light stains. It’s also the best solution for components with rust that are made from thin metals. You need to mix it with some water to create a thick paste that spreads across the affected area.
After letting the baking soda sit for an hour or two, you can scrub it with a wire brush to get rid of the corrosion. Once the rust is gone, give the frame a good rinse and allow it to dry thoroughly before proceeding.
Here are some additional options to consider if you need an alternative way to remove rust from your frame.
| Lemon and Salt: | • This option combines the fruit’s acidity with salt’s abrasiveness to tackle the corroded areas. • The mixture should sit on the rust for about two hours before scrubbing it with a wire brush. • You can even use the lemon rind to remove stubborn areas. |
| Dish Soap and a Salted Potato: | • Potatoes contain oxalic acid. • It’s one of the core components of most cleaning products that dissolve rust. • Slice the potato in half, cover the cut part with the soap, and sprinkle a little salt on it. • Keep rubbing the affected area until you reach the bare metal. |
| Citric Acid: | • You can find pure citric acid in the baking aisle or in health food stores. • If you need to remove paint or coatings on the frame, this method will make fast work of everything. |
| Chemical Solutions: | • It is possible to remove rust using chemical solutions or a heavy-duty product like Naval Jelly. • It only takes about five minutes for the corrosion to dissolve, but you can only use it on thick metals. It will damage stainless steel or thin sheets. |
Why Not Use Powder Coating for a Motorcycle Frame?
Rustoleum appliance paint is a more practical option than powder coating because of the preparation work involved with it.
If you want to powder coat a frame, you’ll need to strip everything from it. That includes the greased bearings in your triple clamp – and that can be a struggle to finish.
It’s also considerably more expensive to do powder coating work on a motorcycle frame than it is to use Rustoleum appliance paint. If you’re on a budget, the spray epoxy can finish the work for you for under $100 for some people.
Using this epoxy paint delivers a cheaper and faster result without compromising the look of your frame. Although powder coating is more durable, the time and effort needed to create the final result aren’t always worth the investment.
You also need an industrial oven to fit the frame in to finish the final coating, which is not something that the average bike owner has available in their garage.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Using Rustoleum Appliance Paint?
Rustoleum appliance paint delivers exceptional results for metal applications when applied correctly. If the rust or existing imperfections are left uncorrected, your restoration work will not meet your expectations. That’s why it is essential to focus on the prep work first.
| Benefits of Using Rustoleum Appliance Paint | Disadvantages of Using Rustoleum Appliance Paint |
| • It offers even coverage without creating revealing brush strokes. • The curing rate is much faster than other frame restoration methods. • It can be used inside or outside. • The cleanup process is much faster. • You can use the product for other craft applications, appliance needs, and other DIY home projects. | • You have limited color choices to consider. • The preferred color for your frame might be out of stock. • Drips are tricky with Rustoleum. You’ll need to spray a light coat. • Mineral spirits need to be available to correct mistakes. • A bad nozzle on the can might create massive overspray. |
I’ve always found Rustoleum appliance paint to be an essential item for my frame restoration needs. It’s fast, affordable, and reliable.
Although black is my go-to color for motorcycles, you’ll find several color choices available if you want to experiment.
It works better to use thin coats to avoid drips. If you can protect your equipment from overspray, have adequate ventilation, and wear the appropriate safety equipment, you will find that Rustoleum offers an amazing experience.
