Rusted Frame

I was just re-reading your thread and saw this post.

If you've never tried using https://www.searchtempest.com/ for CL finds, it really helps.

 

I don't know what was applied to that frame but that black undercoat/paint made it rust 10x faster than if it was left bare (even if already rusted beforehand, which I suspect. Rust cover-up maybe?)

The only thing it did was just trap the rust between itself and the frame and it festered there, unseen to the eye, untill you see holes in it and it is too late.

The thing with undercoatings is that you must NEVER EVER use a product that hardens on after application as an undercoat. It will make things worse as moisture will eventually get behind it though cracks or chips, accelerating the corrosion process as it gets trapped between the frame and the undercoating product

The best option is oil-based undercoatings, like Fluid Film, Krown and similar products. But these are good only if you apply them on a YEARLY basis. Their consistency is both their strenght and flaw. They have water-like consistency and will creep anywhere, into the smallest crevice and corner BUT this consistency will also allow them to get washed off on areas exposed to elements. This is why you must apply it yearly

Anyways, don't even think to put patches on that frame. It is probably rotten pretty much everywhere because of the rust that festered under that black stuff. What you cannot see is going to be worse that what you can see. Sad to say but the frame is rotten beyond repair

 

yeah makes sense, my dad put like tractor paint on it to stop it but if it made it worse, there’s obviously not much I could do now since it’s on there now. I’m trying to look for new frames but I can’t seem to find much.

 

Nothing is ever beyond repair!! Then it might come down to how you define Repair!!

The fact is that it is not cost effective is another story. Now with the price of New Steel it is even more expensive.

 

My brother in law did a body swap on his 85 Toyota. The frame was solid inspite of 30 Ohio winters and the motor was still buzzing along with over 200000 miles but the body was shot. He found a clean 93 Tacoma with a rusted frame and swapped bodies. That was 5 years ago and he is still driving that truck. It can be done. When he did the swap it wasnt that hard and I think he had it back on the road after a couple weekends. As for that frame today he said he will have to do some welds soon. Its finally started to go bad.

 

oh, yes I know, with enough time and money, everything is possible

Though when your repair will amount to putting more patches on the frame than what is actually left of it, better to get a new frame and start from scratch... or get one custom built
Though yes, I agree, with everything getting more and more expensive these days, it can get a bit complicated