How to Paint a Ladder Rack
Ladder racks serve to transport ladders atop vehicles. Because they are exposed to consistent duress, these racks are generally composed of metal. This fact is the most important thing you should consider when attempting to paint your ladder racks. Bare metal will always reject new paint. If you want a finish to adhere to your racks, you'll first need to treat them with an acidic primer. This will generate a surface better suited for paint adhesion. Finish the racks with an enamel, manufactured for surfaces exposed to abrasion and heavy weight; fail to do so and chipping will prove likely.
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Things You'll Need
- Wrench
- Ratchet
- Waterborne degreasing soap
- Steel wool
- Water hose
- Fabric drop cloth
- Respirator
- Galvanized metal etching spray primer
- Oil-based spray enamel
Instructions
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Cleaning
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1
Detach the ladder rack from the vehicle, using a wrench or ratchet.
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2
Remove grease and dirt from the rack by scrubbing it with a waterborne cleanser. Use steel wool instead of a rag or sponge to ensure that the rack is completely clean.
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3
Rinse the rack, using a hose. Let the metal dry in the sun for about two hours.
Finishing
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4
Place the ladder rack on a fabric drop cloth.
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5
Wear a protective respirator.
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6
Coat the ladder rack with an etching spray primer formulated for galvanized metal surfaces. Prevent the finish from sagging by maintaining 8-inches between the rack and spray tip as you apply. Let the rack dry for three hours.
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7
Paint the ladder rack as you primed it. Apply two light coats of an enduring oil enamel. Wait two hours between each coat. Wait three hours before reattaching the rack to the vehicle.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Latex primers won't stick to ladder racks.
Latex paint is not durable enough for a ladder rack.
