I have just finished doing the frame on my '53 1-ton. I hit every flat surface with 80 grit sandpaper on my grinder, then wire brushed everything else, and finally sand-blasted the (few)areas that were left. I didn't use any of the special paints, but I did paint every surface with rust convertor, a brush-on product that dries to a gloss black polyurethane-like finish. It seemed quite hard. I suppose it is similar to the Eastwood product. After it had cured (a day or two) I sprayed on Rustoleum primer and then Gloss Black Rustoleum enamel. Since I am working outside, I ended up using the frame as a workbench while I did the springs and axles, and so far I haven't been able to chip or scratch the finish. The nice thing about the rust convertor I used is that it is available at my local Wal Mart in pint bottles for about $2 each. So far for the frame, all the leaf springs, and both axles I have used 10 bottles.
tw
