rusty ladder fix?

[disco_drum]

So i have the age old "rusty ladder" syndrome going on. I was at home depot today and saw that they now sell plastidip in black. This is the stuff that is rubbery and can be used to insulate tool handles and what not. Does anyone agree with me that this, if applied evenly, could be a great ladder finish? It would also make those damn rungs not to slippery after it rains! What is everyones opinion?

 

[helievacpilot]

I like this stuff for a lot of things, but it won't handle your boots standing on it. It's just going to "tear". Not tough enough for this application. Sand blast and Rhino-Line it.
- Bill

 

[ArmyRover]

I agree that coating is great and I use it a lot to, but it won't hold up to being walked on.

 

[capri_auto]

use a chemical stripper and clean off the rust, hit it with truck bed liner in a can

 

[listerdiesel]

Best thing is to get it oven stripped, shot blast, Zinc spray then semi-gloss powder coat.

Got the one on our son's D2 to process as soon as we have enough items to justify the trip.

Powder coat without Zinc will rust underneath pretty quickly. I had my side steps done, still got to fit them....

D2 chassis is outside, fourth year out in the weather and no rust showing anywhere.

Peter

 

[helievacpilot]

Best thing is to get it oven stripped, shot blast, Zinc spray then semi-gloss powder coat.

Got the one on our son's D2 to process as soon as we have enough items to justify the trip.

Powder coat without Zinc will rust underneath pretty quickly. I had my side steps done, still got to fit them....

D2 chassis is outside, fourth year out in the weather and no rust showing anywhere.

Peter

Could probably buy a new one for what it would cost to do all that.

 

[disco_drum]

I will just keep rattle canning it! I only paid like 25 bucks for the ladder I am not going to invest a mint to refinish it. Thanks for the advice on Plastidip... thought it was more durable.

 

[DiscoPhoto]

I plastidipped my ladder in July or so and it's held up plenty. IF it tore, you could just cover it again. It is the perfect finish.

 

[disco_drum]

ok good! some confirmed evidence that it will work! how did you do it? Spray on or brush on?

 

[DiscoPhoto]

Removed the ladder, sprayed I believe a full can or less on it. I used my ladder quite a bit this summer, set up hammocks off my roof rack a couple times and used it to put a mattress up top for some relaxing hours.

 

[diamondplate]

Check out Por15. It should prevent rust from returning. You can then leave the gloss finish, or topcoat with rattle can.
Good luck!

 

[DiscoPhoto]

POR15 would be much superior to plastidip FYI, I just didn't have any POR15 at the time.

 

[listerdiesel]

Could probably buy a new one for what it would cost to do all that.

That new one will rust in a year or so, so you buy another one....

Do the job properly, once.

Peter

 

[ukoffroad]

I put that grip tape in small strips on the rungs of the ladder part for grip. Lowes sells it in rolls.