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Projects cleaning up rust prior to painting

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by 1930artdeco, Dec 28, 2021.

  1. 1930artdeco
    Joined: Oct 25, 2011
    Posts: 683

    1930artdeco
    Member
    from Lynden, Wa

    Quick question here. While I have the engine out of the bay, it was suggested that I paint the engine bay-good idea. The car will not get a full resto yet-that is about 12 years off-this is just temporary. So, I am trying to figure the best way to stop/slow down the rust that is there so that I can paint over it and seal it up for now. I can get some phosphoric acid and wipe things down or I have muriatic acid wipe down and neutralize then prime and paint. Thoughts?

    Thanks,

    Mike
     
  2. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 24,476

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Ospho.

    Wire brush and scuff pad the loose stuff off first.
     
    loudbang and GordonC like this.
  3. oldiron 440
    Joined: Dec 12, 2018
    Posts: 3,935

    oldiron 440
    Member

    Sandblast everything you want to remove and spray it with epoxy primer and the color of your choice. Then no worries for a very long time...
     
    rockable likes this.
  4. indyjps
    Joined: Feb 21, 2007
    Posts: 5,393

    indyjps
    Member

    Sand blast is best.
    If not, use phosphoric, NOT muratic. Evaporust, naval jelly, and other more friendly chemicals are available as well.
    Neutralize acid with baking soda water, wipe with panel prep or thinner, shoot epoxy.
    After trying multiple rust converters, And having them all fail, I do not trust those products anymore.
     
  5. F-ONE
    Joined: Mar 27, 2008
    Posts: 3,671

    F-ONE
    Member
    from Alabama

    It would help to see what you have....
    I’ve been going through this painting a set of steel wheels.
    Do the rust treatments work?
    My answer is....
    “Eh”.... kind of...
    Is it worth the time using these treatments
    “Eh”....well since I bought the stuff....

    For a quick clean up on lightly rusted engine compartment sheet metal....
    Clean....
    Scuff....
    Spray with black RustOleum.
    This is likely better than what it got new.
    For inner panels they may be more dirty than rusty.

    Squirrel makes a good point for this type of job....
    Just use black paint after the clean up because primer will show through any new nicks and scratches especially on the chassis.
     
    stillrunners likes this.
  6. stillrunners
    Joined: Aug 27, 2009
    Posts: 10,578

    stillrunners
    Member
    from dallas

    What ^^^^^^ he said - pictures of your issues always helps..........
     
  7. 1930artdeco
    Joined: Oct 25, 2011
    Posts: 683

    1930artdeco
    Member
    from Lynden, Wa

    Here is what I am working with rust wise. Some is a bit more invasive due being where the bay sat. But generally, it like this part of the firewall all the way round.
     

    Attached Files:

  8. ospho green scrub pad then rustoleum rusty metal primer
     
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  9. stillrunners
    Joined: Aug 27, 2009
    Posts: 10,578

    stillrunners
    Member
    from dallas

    Not bad...not bad at all....
     
    F-ONE likes this.
  10. 1930artdeco
    Joined: Oct 25, 2011
    Posts: 683

    1930artdeco
    Member
    from Lynden, Wa

    All thing considered it isnt to bad. I just want to preserve the metal and slow down the rusting until I can get around to doing a frame off resto on her after I retire.
     
  11. mink
    Joined: Oct 4, 2007
    Posts: 1,331

    mink
    Member
    from CT

    I would remove the rust mechanically with a grinder and wire wheel. Then I would clean it with a alcohol solvent, and epoxy primer it followed primer and a single stage paint.
     
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  12. F-ONE
    Joined: Mar 27, 2008
    Posts: 3,671

    F-ONE
    Member
    from Alabama

    I would wire wheel it. I have a selection of wheels and cups. I would go over it with a paint stripper pad to hit most of the high spots. All this can be done with corded drill motor. I would not use as battery drill as this type of work is just too hard on them. Then I would use sandpaper by hand.
    The pitted areas will remain but will be knocked down significantly.
    After all that prep and clean I would wipe it down with denatured alcohol.
    Tape it off really, really good. Nothing looks as crappy as a sloppy painted engine compartment. For instance, most of the time the firewall was body color. I would be sure to mask the firewall. Depending on what you are doing, you may need to use several colors. Tape it off and paper it up like you are painting the car because...you are.
    Step one RustOleum Rusty Metal red oxide rattle can....
    Step two RustOleum Black

    You have two options....
    Let the primer completely dry, then top coat after 48hrs or...
    let the primer dry to touch them immediately top coat with black. This lets the primer and top coat bond or at least dry together. Any touch up can be done after 48hrs.
    RustOleum black will look too glossy while it's drying but it settles to just a little more than semi-gloss, mimicking the bargain basement paint the factory used.
    As I said earlier...This is probably much better than what the car got when it was new, even counting the minor rust.
     
  13. bchctybob
    Joined: Sep 18, 2011
    Posts: 5,848

    bchctybob
    Member

    I would try the Ospho or equivalent in one area with steel wool, green scotchbrite pads, 1” wire brush and a cheap stiff paint brush with the bristles cut to 1/2-3/4”. If it works, it’s probably the easiest way to get to where you can apply some primer and paint. If it doesn’t do the job you’ll have to use a mechanical means like a wire wheel on a sidewinder or a Paint Eater pad. The Paint Eater wheels do a great job on the large areas but sharp edges and protruding bolts with kill them pretty fast.
    Myself, I use Krylon Rust Tough black primer and over coat that with Krylon Rust Tough semi gloss black. The stuff lasts for years, touches up nicely and looks factory-like.
    Any way you look at it it’s a lot of work. I’ll think of you while I’m doing the same thing to mine. LOL.
     
    gimpyshotrods and Tow Truck Tom like this.

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