Undercoat or Bed liner?

[2bking]

I am using Rustoleum rattle can undercoating for the lower and outer surfaces of the sheet metal. Here is a picture of the outer panel on the trunk where the undercoating has been rubbed off just from contact with my clothing.

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The product seems to be a waste of time due to the ease of removal. I did a test panel with primer first but had similar results.

Is bed liner a better coating?

[wallace18]

You must properly clean the aluminum and scuff it for these type of coatings to stick properly. I have used them with great success after cleaning and scuffing. A 3M pad works well.

[2bking]

I have done the scotch-brite, didn't help. I've cleaned the panels with acetone also and tried a primer but nothing seems to help. The dried coating feels a little rubbery and just gives up with little rubbing. I like the look but not the durability. Some have used Duplicolor - perhaps it a better product?

[Jeff Kleiner]

For rattle can stuff I've had good luck with both Eastwood and 3M Rubberized undercoating. I have also used brush/roll on gallons of Heculiner and Duplicolor Bed Armor for the underside of bodies as well as splash panels. With all of them you've got to get a good tooth into the aluminum for a tight bond. I prefer to just hit them with 60 or 80 grit paper. To even begin to do any good with Scotchbrite you'll need to use a dark gray (~200 grit) or tan (~120 grit). If you're using green pads (~600 grit) all you are doing is polishing it, not creating a tooth.

Good luck,
Jeff

[Arrowhead]

I prefer to just hit them with 60 or 80 grit paper. To even begin to do any good with Scotchbrite you'll need to use a dark gray (~200 grit) or tan (~120 grit). If you're using green pads (~600 grit) all you are doing is polishing it, not creating a tooth.

Agreed, you need an aggressive scratch pattern for it to stick.

[NukeMMC]

I have had good luck with red scotchbrite or 150grit paper, self-etching g rattle can primer and the Rustoleum bed liner.

[ehansen007]

Yeah, Eastwood, 3M, or Evercoat. All industrial strength compared to Rustoleum etc. The key is that it bonds to itself as rubber which creates a layer of film that doesn't have to dig into the metal to adhere. It's always better to key or scuff, but with this stuff you usually don't have to.