What is the best spray paint for exterior steps, bumper, and hitch?

[This_guy_owns_a_camper]

Hi everyone,

I am fairly new to the forum. It's a pleasure being here!

I purchased a used camper in September 2016 from Camper World. The camper I purchased was a 2015 model. It was noticeable from the onset of my inspection that certain parts of the steps, hitch, and bumper had been spot painted. The spot paint job was not terribly bad. Now, it's February 2017 and the exterior steps, bumper and hitch's paint looks dull.

What is the best glossy paint to use when repainting exterior components such as steps, bumper, and hitch. I want the paint job to last longer than a few months while keeping its glossiness.

Thanks in advance!

[chroniekon]

Powder coating would be very durable for a high traffic area like the steps. The parts would have to be taken off your trailer and taken to a place set up to do this type of work.
If you have access to an air compressor and spray equipment, an automotive paint will give you good results. The preparation of the surface before the paint goes on is the most important no matter what you end up using.

[silver]

I would use rustoleum rust reformer first then if desired spray with rustoleum enamel. The rust reformer has worked great for me on the frame.

[This_guy_owns_a_camper]

Originally Posted by silver

I would use rustoleum rust reformer first then if desired spray with rustoleum enamel. The rust reformer has worked great for me on the frame.

Thanks! Do you think it will remain shiny through-out the elements? How long has your repainted finish remained glossy?

[DKRITTER]

If possible I'd use an Epoxy paint for durability.

[This_guy_owns_a_camper]

Originally Posted by DKRITTER

If possible I'd use an Epoxy paint for durability.

Thanks! I didn't think about epoxy spray paint.

[Grey Wolf 26RR]

Hands down the best I've used:

https://www.amazon.com/POR-15-45818-...AGDK7SH7F86KHF

All POR15 products are expensive but hold up extremely well. I have a utility trailer that been in the Florida sun for 10 years and the paint is still holding up.

Also used their gas tank repair on a motorcycle over 12 years ago and it's still hasn't rusted or leaked.

[Charles Firth]

I use a $4.00 can of black rustoleum every year for the bumpers the front hitch and the steps. Last the entire season, could probably get 2 years out of it, but I do it every year as part of my spring spruce up. Just takes a few minutes and looks great.

[silver]

Originally Posted by This_guy_owns_a_camper

Thanks! Do you think it will remain shiny through-out the elements? How long has your repainted finish remained glossy?

The rust reformer is a flat paint that is why I said to follow up with an enamel. The rust reformer by itself has lasted five years before I needed to re do.

[poofam]

Sand blast and zinc base paint better then powder coat but will cost you ??

[ronzo101]

I like the rust-oleum stain black finish on mine. I spayed the trailer frame completely the first year as I picked it up from a dealer 500 miles away during the heart of winter in up state New York. 2 years later, just spray touch up here and there. The POR-15 is amazing but for me I like the satin finish and the ease of picking up a can locally and going for it......

[extxn]

If you have a Tractor Supply locally, check out the tractor paint they carry in many different colors. I used FarmAll red a couple years ago when I redid an outdoor metal bench. The paint was a rattle can (spray) and oil based. Has held up great, but then it isn't on the road either.
Only another suggestion.
If you're into the Rustoleum brand, might want to look at the hammered finishes for the steps.
Opinions & suggestions are like back-ends, everybody has one!
Most of us will chime in to help you spend your children's inheritance.

[Tom48]

Originally Posted by silver

I would use rustoleum rust reformer first then if desired spray with rustoleum enamel. The rust reformer has worked great for me on the frame.

Ditto. With only moderate prep, I've had very good results covering rusted areas with Rust Reformer.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by Charles Firth

I use a $4.00 can of black rustoleum every year for the bumpers the front hitch and the steps. Last the entire season, could probably get 2 years out of it, but I do it every year as part of my spring spruce up. Just takes a few minutes and looks great.

Put me in this corner! Youroo!!

[jeff64]

Originally Posted by youroo

Put me in this corner! Youroo!!

Me too! Satin Black Rustoleum. One of those orange nylon wire type wheels on a drill to scuff the surface and get the rust, wipe with IPA. Shoot the stuff with a piece of cardboard to catch the overspray and be done with it. This is just part of the yearly deal, you'll never cure it permanently. I can see where mine was "touched up" and I ordered mine new. Kinda surprising how old the frame is compared to the build date.

[This_guy_owns_a_camper]

Originally Posted by ronzo101

I like the rust-oleum stain black finish on mine. I spayed the trailer frame completely the first year as I picked it up from a dealer 500 miles away during the heart of winter in up state New York. 2 years later, just spray touch up here and there. The POR-15 is amazing but for me I like the satin finish and the ease of picking up a can locally and going for it......

Thanks! I'm reading all of the suggestions and still doing my research. With that said, I'm hoping to find something that will last at least a few years. I read about POR-15; it's kind of pricey. However, it's on my possibility list.

[This_guy_owns_a_camper]

Originally Posted by extxn

If you have a Tractor Supply locally, check out the tractor paint they carry in many different colors. I used FarmAll red a couple years ago when I redid an outdoor metal bench. The paint was a rattle can (spray) and oil based. Has held up great, but then it isn't on the road either.
Only another suggestion.
If you're into the Rustoleum brand, might want to look at the hammered finishes for the steps.
Opinions & suggestions are like back-ends, everybody has one!
Most of us will chime in to help you spend your children's inheritance.

Thanks! I appreciate it! I'm hoping to find a solution that's economical and will not require me to have to repaint every year.

[This_guy_owns_a_camper]

Originally Posted by jeff64

Me too! Satin Black Rustoleum. One of those orange nylon wire type wheels on a drill to scuff the surface and get the rust, wipe with IPA. Shoot the stuff with a piece of cardboard to catch the overspray and be done with it. This is just part of the yearly deal, you'll never cure it permanently. I can see where mine was "touched up" and I ordered mine new. Kinda surprising how old the frame is compared to the build date.

Thanks for the information! What is IPA?

[jeff64]

IPA-Isopropyl alcohol- rubbing alcohol. cleans, degreases, doesn't seem to attack plastics, tpo , edpm or fiberglass, in my experience, as long as you're just wiping surfaces down to prep, air dry for something else to be done. I kinda shy away from acetone... it tends to dissolve things

[Pilot172]

I have used the POR-15 on automobile restorations and it works great. I have to do the same clean up on my 2015 Solaire steps and hitch and will invest in a couple of cans. Good luck and have fun.