So I'm welding an equipment rack out of mild steel... I'd like the rack to survive outside in the weather for a good long time, and to look reasonably nice while doing it. It will not take a ton of abuse, but it will sit outside in the sun and rain all year.

I'm looking for a cost effective, recommended, ideally DIY solution to keep the rack looking sharp. Prime & paint (seems to be a reasonable option)? Truck bed liner (spendy)? Powder coat at home is challenging because the rack is roughly the size of a table.

The rack is pretty big, I'd really prefer not to haul it off and get it galvanized -- and in my quantity (e.g. 1) it's extra inefficient cost-wise.

Thoughts and suggestions appreciated!

B

I know of a powder coating company in Olympia that does custom powder coating. You take your clean piece in, they prep and powder coat it. Fairly quick turn around.

Thanks Andy, I'm kind of hoping to do this myself--partially to learn, and partially to avoid trying to transport a large-ish object to/from a powder-coating and/or galvanizing place. But I may end up there, point taken.

I've had good luck with Hammerite (the brush it on - not the spay on) It leaves a nice thick coating that has lasted well on my small boat trailer.

1 can of primer, 2 cans of Rustoleum! Lotsa colors to choose from, and the kids could help spraypaint for an added bonus

Cold galvanizing spray.

I weld up may gates, pens etc and I use rattle can primer and Rustoleum. Most of my gates and pens are 10 or more years old and still look fine. If I see a rust spot I rattle can it with the rustoleum that penerates the rust. I do not use colors or gloss its all flat black or primer red. Surface prep is key using solvents and a brass brush on the grinder to texture the surface a little.

I agree...primer and Rustoleum is easy and cheap, and effective.

Fish on...

Todd

Rustoleum yep.