Zolatone as undercoat and bedliner

For those of you that don't know, Zolatone is that spattery, speckled coating that was commonly used as trunk liner in automobiles at least up into the late 1960s.   In 50s and 60s Airstream trailers it was used to coat the interior aluminum skins of the trailers.

Today I saw an early 60s Ford Ranchero that had the bed "lined" with Zolatone, and a couple years ago I looked at a "1952 Cj2A" (was obviously an M38 w/ P/S tool indents) for sale that had both the tub interior and insides of the wheel wells coated with Zolatone.  I'm sure both of these applications were done as "after market" modifications.  I could only find one reference on the CJ2A Forum where Zolatone is mentioned only in passing [http://www.thecj2apage.com/forums/my-first-project-cj2a-195879_topic18465_page1.html]

What I am wondering is whether anybody knows how effective Zolatone is generally in this type of application, i.e., as an exterior body coating to provide long-term protection against rust. Zolatone is still made, and though not cheap, it is really, really tough stuff, at least in the applications I've seen it used. I am especially hoping Fred Colwell might provide his insight into this issue, as Zolatone is a "big" thing in the older Airstream trailers, something that Fred knows just a little bit about in addition to Jeeps.




Edited by sibaropsis - 04 Sep. 2011 at 9:21pm

Gunslinger--
Zolatone isn't the rubberized stuff that you see on lots of vehicles. It has a flat finish and is kind of spattered on, usually with a salt/pepper-like coloring. It is really difficult to remove (at least off aluminum), so it isn't something I would want to use unless I was really sure it was effective.  Hence my inquiry.

Gunslinger wrote: Is that the same stuff they use to coat truck beds with?

JeepsterJim, good to hear that you have had positive results with Zolatone. I saw in online Zolatone info that they have their own proprietary primer, but then read elsewhere where other high quality primers work too.  I suspect that one would get the best adhesion using the Zolatone brand primer.

Roc, I've never seen Zolatone actually peel or flake off, but these were all interior applications on Airstream aluminum. I've seen some of the rubberized bedliner applications peel off pretty quickly.  I've also seen some bedliner applications that look like they might be just all-black Zolatone.

I am wondering if there are any issues when used in more exposed situations, like lining a jeep tub, or the wheel wells. UV-resistance is something that would be a worry if used as a bedliner, though not so much as a wheel well-liner.  I'm thinking that Zolatone might be a durable alternative to traditional paint for high wear, rust-prone surfaces on a jeep that is being restified, not necessarily restored to blueprint specs. On the other hand, it costs $$$, lots more than traditional automotive paint, and is not easily removed once applied.

One man's "AHA" moment another man's "Bubbification"?

Another product I have used is Wurth SKS gaurd. . 

bvermeere wrote: We routinely use Zolatone on the inside of boats that we build or repair.  With its splattered appearance it provides a sturdy surface that can hide a multitude of patches and welds.

Good question, but I don't no.  You might try calling the company and ask them. 

I would say the paint would need to be under the Zolotone instead of the other way around. I'll be surprised if they say paint over it.

bvermeere wrote: We routinely use Zolatone on the inside of boats that we build or repair.  With its splattered appearance it provides a sturdy surface that can hide a multitude of patches and welds.