Internal Frame Coating is one of those steps you don’t want to skip when you’re repairing or restoring a frame. Its job is to stop the spread of corrosion in areas where it’s not possible to do traditional rust removal. It does this by fogging the entire section of an enclosed frame with a thick layer of rust encapsulating paint. Once cured, it leaves behind a coated surface that seals out moisture, prevent further rust damage from the inside out.
There are some unique properties to Internal Frame Coating that make it different from traditional Rust Encapsulator. First, because it’s applied into blind cavities, it requires a different spray tip. In this case, it’s a flexible hose with a 360º spray nozzle that allows the protectant to be applied in all directions. This design also allows for a fairly heavy application since you can’t typically see where you’re spraying.
To aid in seeing where you’ve applied it, Internal Frame Coating is offered in a light green finish. However, it’s not uncommon for some of the product to overspray or drip out of drain holes. As a result, many people prefer to use the black version instead.
Because of these factors, there are two schools of thought on the right to time to apply Internal Frame Coating. Some say apply the frame coating before refinishing the outer frame while others say treat the inside last. Here are the pros and cons to each method.
Applying Internal Frame Coating First
By treating the inside of the frame first, you don’t have to worry about damaging the external appearance of the frame. Any overspray or runs can be cleaned up before you refinish the outside. This method works great if you prefer to use the green finish, as you can see your work better in the process. Any place where green may show through can be overshot with black to match the outer frame later.
The downside to spraying internally first is that you need to let the coating full drip out and cure before external refinishing. If time is a consideration, it may be more beneficial to treat the inside after the outside is finished. In fact, sometimes Internal Frame Coating is an afterthought that’s applied after the vehicle is reassembled.
Applying Internal Frame Coating Last
Treating the inside of the frame last might make sense if your process prioritizes making progress on the outside first. In this case, using the black version of the frame coating might make the most sense. Any overspray or runs would likely blend in, assuming a black chassis. You can also let any overage run out and cure as you reassemble the refinished chassis.
As mentioned above, you can always apply Internal Frame Coating later in the process. There’s no need to necessarily refinish the outside of the chassis to get the benefits of protecting the inside. In fact, it’s probably wise to treat the inside of an older frame regardless of its external appearance. Better to get ahead of rust before it becomes severe.
Melvin, you can apply this to clean surfaces including new vehicles. It doesn’t react with rust like a rust converter product does. It’s a paint that will stop the progress of any existing rust, however. It’s always wise to prevent rust before it takes hold.
Can you use this on a new vehicle or do you need the rust for the chemical reaction for bonding