nice rack w/pics and Q's

[Stolen76]

I ran out of wire before I got it welded to the roof. Probably a good thing, I need some suggestions on painting or coating it. 3 goals in mind... CHEAP, last for a few years, and sticks to galvanized metal. I've only got $30 in it I'd hate to spend more to paint it.

The rack weighs 57#, covers the whole roof, and it's a combination of 1.25" and .75" EMT. I'm thinking about turning it around so the spare is on the front. I built a stowable ladder that will slide in from the side with bump stops that hit the door so it won't be hard to load either way.

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/drdiesel/images/rack003.jpg

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/drdiesel/images/rack008.jpg

[Jake_S]

Nice rack! RustOleum makes a very durable industrial grade paint that's relatively cheap. It's about $15 a pint, or $28 a gallon.
Jake

[dharmabum]

I agree with using Rustoleum, the stuff works great and is pretty cheap. I don't know if I would weld the rack to the roof though; is that what you are planning on doing seriously? The roof is pretty thin and I think the rack would be alot stronger tied into the roof supports or better yet the rain gutters.

[Stolen76]

I haven't decided on welding to the roof for sure. It hits right on the crest of the round edge so it would be very solid (no flex in that part). I was getting into melting and burning with the welder and I get carried away sometimes. I'll probably end up through bolting it with backing plates. Do you guys mean the rustoleum you buy off the shelf at walmart ?

[Maynard]

go with rustoleum, good stuff. i suggest bolting it to your roof. i was going to weld mine on, but really glad i didnt, already had to take it off twice since summer.

[Marvin Gates]

Stolen76, try duplicolor, its the stuff they put in the beds of pickups and it wears like iron. MG :D :D :D You should be able to get it at Napa or most any auto parts store, it comes in rattle cans.

[91GWag]

Nice looking rack! I would go with the paint on bed liner stuff, real thick stuff!!

[sailingjeep]

Looks good!!

[CowKiller]

nice rack.

and were u standing on ur hood for the second pic? poor hood.

[irbob]

Looks good. Bolt it on you won't be sorry you did.

[jode]

Having painted my rack twice in so many years, I can tell you this, using a "spray" is a real PITA and it requires a lot of cans. In retrospect, I would rather have rolled a bedliner-type product onto the "floor" surfaces of mine, and then rattlecanned the exterior edges for a nice look. That way, I would have had the best of both worlds. I think that the next time I do it, I'll do that. I anticipate having to repeat the whole process this spring. :(
As far as welding it to the roof, I have to agree...MAJORLY bad idea. Any structural solidity of the roof (even in the corners) will be severly compromised by welding it on and it will concentrate the force in that one spot so bad that you will lose your nice straight roof line and end up with a mess. Plus, as was mentioned, occasions do arise when the rack needs removal (painting for instance).
;)

[Marvin Gates]

Stolen 76 you can buy the duplicolor in quart or gallon cans. Apply it on with a brush like Jode was saying and touch up with rattle cans! You can use a brush, roller, or a broom, doesn't matter it flows really well and is hard as a rock once it dries. MG :D :D :D

[porkchop]

Looks good. I would also bolt it on to the roof. Never know when you might have to take it off.

Also what do you have on your tail lights?

[Crazy_Jeepman]

Yea the taillights look like the LED lights for Semis...........Wonder how I know that!!! ;) LOOK GOOD! Did you cut a piece of sheetmetal to match the OEM lense then cut holes for the tail light and marker light? I might have to steal that idea :D :D :D :D

[Stolen76]

Thanks for the suggestions. I was on the hood taking pics, I don't dent too much as I'm on a downswing again, only 135# !

Taillights are Trucklite Super 44's, 44 very bright LED's. I took off the taillights, cut out the insides and screwed sheet metal on to the body. Then I cut out a 4.5" hole for the rear light and a 2.5" hole for the marker. I took the cut out and added a vertical pipe to the corner and now use it for a rock guard. I still have to do the side in the pic over. I did it to the outside of the original housing.

[Elliott]

Stolen76
Them's the lights I was planning to plant in the back of my '66 J 2600, got round holes already and thought that'd look real slick. Thanks for the info on 'em, gotta look some up now.

[OBX FSJ]

I am the pied piper of duplicolor.

I have painted the helm on a Motor Lifeboat, rod racks, cattle guards, bumpers, hell..I love it.

Buy a 20 dollars "undercoating" gun, mix it about a third with acetone and blast off. Spray it at high pressure, and wear a respirator.

I am about to spray my whole interior with it. Buy it at NAPA. and, like someone else pointed out, you can fix it anytime with a spray bomb of the same stuff. I get it for 30 a gallon. Throw in the cost of the gun, and acetone, and you still spent half of what a herculiner kit will cost.