Herculiner Prep Work?

[Dustin1300]

I have a steel stand I just finished over the weekend for a 600 gallon DT I'm working on. I plan to use Herculiner (white or black one....Just sucks the white is twice as much) but am looking at what the recommendations would be on surface preparation? Herculiner Guide says to use Xylene/Acetone for surface preparation but was curious on what others had to say? Stand has some surface rust that I've been knocking off with wire brush but wanted everyone's opinion as I know the surface preparation is just as important as the actual application of the Herculiner!

Stand complete:

 

[mx36]

Sounds like you are doing it right, I used Acetone when I did mine.

 

[Dustin1300]

Sounds like you are doing it right, I used Acetone when I did mine.

I try to but like to "measure twice and cut once" as my grandpa always taught me

 

[RobinsonFam1]

follow manf recommendations.

powder coat not available? that would be my prefernce if so.

 

[mgrmax]

I am a big fan of PlastiDip spray paint on metal. The stuff is amazing.

 

[Dustin1300]

follow manf recommendations.

powder coat not available? that would be my prefernce if so.

Costs is much higher on powder coating and from what others have reviewed, it'll chip and is not as strong as Herculiner. Many choose powdercoating because it's shiny but if the choice is based on aesthetics, that's not my goal.

 

[Dustin1300]

Someone on local club forum recommended Mighty Sealer:

http://www.menards.com/main/paint/caulking-sealants/spray-foam-caulk/the-original-mighty-sealer/p-1741878-c-7937.htm

Not sure it's really any different than underbody coating.

 

[hebygb]

I apologize that I can't add much to the discussion of coating, but just want to say it is refreshing to see a truly properly executed stand. Gussets and all.

I have always thought that powdercoat would be the better option because of the consistency/uniformity in thickness. As far as chipping, I'd be more concerned that someone is using something that can chip the finish so close to my tank.

 

[Dustin1300]

I apologize that I can't add much to the discussion of coating, but just want to say it is refreshing to see a truly properly executed stand. Gussets and all.

I have always thought that powdercoat would be the better option because of the consistency/uniformity in thickness. As far as chipping, I'd be more concerned that someone is using something that can chip the finish so close to my tank.

Appreciate the feedback. I picked up the tank used but never filled with water and the stand did not meet my expectations and I'd rather be safe than sorry. I added the gussets for wracking and doubled up on the top rails since they had a four foot span to prevent any possible deflection but have less vertical supports for accessibility under the tank. It might be overbuilt but I prefer overbuilt rather than underbuilt! :spin3:

 

[psteeleb]

Dustin

First off I've never used the product so take my opinion for what its worth. If me I would use a drill with a stiff wire brush wheel to prep the surface, then clean with Xylene or Acetone as recommended by the manufacturer. I don't know what I'd do for certain in the areas between the tube steel but I would probably consider trying to get something in between them as the Herculiner probably will not flow into it. It's probably a minor issue but I would think there would be some sort of rustolium paint or rust preventive liquid that could be poured between to areas to provide some sort of surface protection because once covered, if moisture is in there it may be an area where a rust bubble could form.

Secondly I agree with "œhebygb" and glad to see the gussets to provide some lateral strength to the stand


Can't wait to see the finshed product

 

[Dustin1300]

Dustin

First off I've never used the product so take my opinion for what its worth. If me I would use a drill with a stiff wire brush wheel to prep the surface, then clean with Xylene or Acetone as recommended by the manufacturer. I don't know what I'd do for certain in the areas between the tube steel but I would probably consider trying to get something in between them as the Herculiner probably will not flow into it. It's probably a minor issue but I would think there would be some sort of rustolium paint or rust preventive liquid that could be poured between to areas to provide some sort of surface protection because once covered, if moisture is in there it may be an area where a rust bubble could form.

Secondly I agree with "œhebygb" and glad to see the gussets to provide some lateral strength to the stand


Can't wait to see the finshed product

Thanks for input and I had the same concerns about moisture where the metal meets. It would have just been a ridiculous amount of welding to prevent the moisture from getting in. I'm trying to think of a good solution and not sure if the Herculiner will be thick enough that it will fill the void. Anyone know the viscosity of it?

Something that crossed my mind is using JB Weld or the JB Stick and just roll it up and press into all the seams and once dried grind/sand down before applying the bedliner. That's just a lot of jb-weld and not sure if something else exists that's loadable in a caulking gun that would fill the voids and would adhere to metal??? I'm open to ideas for sure!

 

[RobinsonFam1]

i guess the caution would be condensation in the gaps.

there is a product called POR 15.

it is basically a paint to completely seal the metal and prevent rust. most commonly used in auto body work. it can be sprayed into tight areas like corners and seams to prevent corrosion. great reviews on it. there are other products like it but i cant remember the names. rustoleum makes one too that should be easy to find.

 

[Dustin1300]

I'm just headed to Lowes to see what they have as I'm not yet sure when my Herculiner will come in via ACE HW. Hopefully I have something that pops out at me at the store....

 

[Dustin1300]

Just spent over an hour grinding down and doing more prepwork on the stand. Most of the surface rust is knocked off and I'll have another night of grinding and sanding. Once I have that done, I'm going to clean up the grooves between the two steel tubes with acetone and then use BONDO between the cracks. I'll just pack it in there with a spackling knife, sand it down, and then do a whole stand wash down with acetone before doing the Herculiner.

This will make for a nice clean finish to the stand and will ensure moisture does not make it between the pieces. :smokin: Now someone out there is sure to poke a hole in my theory, right?

 

[Graham670]

Although I haven't used Herculiner in this application, I have used it as a bed liner for my truck. As you said, preperation is as important, if not MORE important than application. Anyways... You definitely need to use a wire brush on a drill ( or by hand ) to rough the surface up some. If the surface isn't slightly coarse the Herculiner will not adhere properly, and eventually peel and chip off ( speaking from experience ) but if you rough it up some ( even via sanding with a very coarse low grit sand paper....prolly 60 grit or lower ) or using a wire brush you will be golden. Also would recommend adding a second coat if you have enough left over. I was able to double coat a full size truck bed with one gallon of Herculiner.

HTH
- Graham

 

[scrombussquared]

For the surface rust I highly recommend a product called Ospho- osphalic acid. It chemically counteracts the oxidization of the steel. A wipedown with Ospho will eliminate the rust- which is what you want, no matter what topcoat you use. Google Ospho- it's some amazing stuff.

 

[Dustin1300]

Although I haven't used Herculiner in this application, I have used it as a bed liner for my truck. As you said, preperation is as important, if not MORE important than application. Anyways... You definitely need to use a wire brush on a drill ( or by hand ) to rough the surface up some. If the surface isn't slightly coarse the Herculiner will not adhere properly, and eventually peel and chip off ( speaking from experience ) but if you rough it up some ( even via sanding with a very coarse low grit sand paper....prolly 60 grit or lower ) or using a wire brush you will be golden. Also would recommend adding a second coat if you have enough left over. I was able to double coat a full size truck bed with one gallon of Herculiner.

HTH
- Graham

I appreciate the advice and like getting opinions from others that have used it. Tonight I was using a wire wheel on my angle grinder and I've got them for my drill and hand brush for the impossible corners to get too. I'm kind of glad I could not find the Herculiner in stock locally so I'll spend some more time doing surface prep. Don't want to rush as I'll regret it later. I stopped getting pushed on my build thread because I am going to go at a pace that gets things right, I don't have the deep pockets to pay someone to do everything for me and I enjoy the projects along the way. Once I'm done with my basement and tank I'm not sure what I'm going to do with all my spare time! :lol:

 

[Dustin1300]

For the surface rust I highly recommend a product called Ospho- osphalic acid. It chemically counteracts the oxidization of the steel. A wipedown with Ospho will eliminate the rust- which is what you want, no matter what topcoat you use. Google Ospho- it's some amazing stuff.

I'm looking into this product and just called Ace and they can have it shipped to the store in quart or gallon. From what I've seen on it I'd still need to make sure the rust is ground away but apply this and then it will turn any remaining rust into black iron phosphate. Would I then still wipe it down with acetone before applying the Herculiner?!

 

[mx36]

Before you use the herculiner make sure you mix it up real good, mine had pretty much all settled to the bottom. Make sure what ever you use to mix it is pretty rigid as well as it is pretty thick on the bottom.

 

[Dustin1300]

Before you use the herculiner make sure you mix it up real good, mine had pretty much all settled to the bottom. Make sure what ever you use to mix it is pretty rigid as well as it is pretty thick on the bottom.

Noted. I've got some mixers for my drill I've used for grout/mortar and those should stir it up really well.