What to paint / protect steel parts with?

I don't paint anymore. I bought a powder coating setup from Eastwood a few years ago. Cheaper, more durable, overspray wipes away. And the part is ready to go as soon as it has cooled down, no need to cure for 24 hours.

jfryjfry wrote: In reply to freetors: when you're done shooting something with a rattle can, turn it upside down and spray [onto/into something] until it's clear, about 2-4 seconds. cleans out the nozzle and should be good for the next use.

That works with my duplicolor paints and vht but has never worked with rustoleum when I tried it. perhaps I don't hold it long enough.

DrBoost wrote: I don't paint anymore. I bought a powder coating setup from Eastwood a few years ago. Cheaper, more durable, overspray wipes away. And the part is ready to go as soon as it has cooled down, no need to cure for 24 hours.

I still had to paint all the parts you were never able to powdercoat.

Rustoleum works well for me

I find the Rustoleum Pro paints in rattle cans work better than the regular. I think the regular are lacquer and the Pro are enamel, but I'm not sure. The Pro are bigger cans with a silver based label. They seem to spray on better, too (the label says they put out more paint).

To keep the nozzles clear I fill the center of the cap with lacquer thinner, pull the nozzle off the can and drop it in. I wipe it off when I pull it out and put some air through it to make sure. I've never had any luck with that upside down thing.

Cold galv and then epoxy paint is what I used on the suspension parts I made for the expedition.