Painting my frame, any suggestions? (Pics)

Hey all,

Purchased my 04 Extra Cab TRD 4x4 about 6months ago and I am going to be working on the frame. The frame is in decent shape with what looks to be mostly surface rust on the driver side. I live in the Northeast (Connecticut)

My plan is to:
1. Remove bed, rear bumper, and anything else that will get in the way
2. Completely grind down the rear portion of the frame (from back of cab to the bumper). Grind down the sides and underside of the frame from rear of cab to the front wheel well
3. Sand down (150-200grit) whatever I grinded
4. Degrease the frame using simply green degreaser and power wash.. wait to dry
5. Brush on the Chassis Saver all parts I grinded/sanded. I'm thinking 2 coats. (I have PLENTY of materials)

I'm not looking for an OEM finish. I plan to keep the truck for at least another 5 years so I am looking to invest as much as I can into rust prevention. I plan to throw on a lift/wheels, bumpers & sliders, etc eventually. The rust is mostly on the driverside I'm guessing because the driverside mud flap was missing when I purchased it.

I understand this is not a permanent fix for rust and I will need to revisit the frame every year after the winters. I would love any suggestions from you guys on what I could do differently.

PICS:

 

My recommendation would be don't waste your time painting. I'd coat frame with rust check or fluid film. Painting your frame is superficial. I have had good luck using rust check, it will stop what little rust you have on your frame. Also these frames (as well as most items that rust) rust from the inside out. Lots of access holes in the frame to insert a wand or nozzle and spray a rust proofing into.

 

Yeah I hear you. The chassis saver is basically a paint and rust inhibator

 

That will help. But I'd still spray the inside with rust inhibitor as well. Even over the paint when you are done. I live next to the Atlantic Ocean though, and North, so rust is a big issue here.

 

Just curious, was your frame treated from Toyota?

 

It was not. I'm probably under that recall but I figured if toyota was to put on some half ass frame treatment that would trap the surface rust, it'd probably make things a lot worse and by the time my frame gets to the point where it would need to be replaced then I'd be too far out of the 15 years. Which is why I want to do it myself

 

I understand. One thing you could do is get as much of the surface rust off yourself, paint it to your liking, then go to toyota and have them treat it with there stuff. That way you know they didn't cover any rust up and you know whats under the Toyota applied treatment. Also if you haven't had the frame treated by toyota, that means there's also no coating on the inside of the frame and you'll never be able to coat the inside yourself. However toyota has a wand that applies treatment throughout the entire inside of the frame. Another plus to letting toyota apply the final coating, they will treat inside the frame as well. And its free. Just food for thought man