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Hot Rods What do you use to encapsulate rust on metal?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by old_chevy, Jun 9, 2025.

  1. old_chevy
    Joined: May 28, 2012
    Posts: 189

    old_chevy
    Member
    from USA

    The floor panel is solid and has some surface rust with areas of pitting on the interior. There is good paint and then spots with this rust. I just want to encapsulate the rust since 80% of the floor is good. What rust conversion products have you used with good results? Most say to use a water hose to remove the acid. It might be difficult to do this inside the vehicle.
     
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  2. Jagmech
    Joined: Jul 6, 2022
    Posts: 253

    Jagmech

    Spray with Ospho, Ace hardware carries it. Follow directions and when cured paint with whatever you want.
     
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  3. MCjim
    Joined: Jun 4, 2006
    Posts: 1,367

    MCjim
    Member
    from soCal

    POR 15
     
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  4. oldiron 440
    Joined: Dec 12, 2018
    Posts: 3,935

    oldiron 440
    Member

    A sandblaster… and epoxy primer.
     
    verno30, Corn Fed, Rickybop and 2 others like this.
  5. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 59,650

    squirrel
    Member

    Depends on the car...if there aren't any holes in it, or they're just small holes and it's still solid, and it's just a car to drive, I'll leave the rust alone and park inside, and it won't ever get worse. I live in Arizona, so your results may vary.

    for something I want to do a high quality job, I either replace the metal or blast the rust and paint it. Although my days of doing that are over now, mostly.
     
  6. ClarkH
    Joined: Jul 21, 2010
    Posts: 1,557

    ClarkH
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    If you're looking for a simple solution, Ospho is it. And since you ask, you don't need to rinse it with water. I've also had decent results with Eastwood's rust encapsulation paint.

    Of course, all these solutions are just shots in the dark without pictures of what you're dealing with.
     
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  7. gene-koning
    Joined: Oct 28, 2016
    Posts: 5,620

    gene-koning
    Member

    I use the brush on Ospho.
    I welded in some patches on the roof of my coupe that had rusted through, back in 2011. There were still other places that had some deep pits. I bought the brush on Ospho and followed the directions.
    This is one of those areas, in 2018. P1010018.JPG
    This is how much of that area I replaced in 2018.
    P1010020.JPG
    This is how that area looked last summer. The car sits outside all year around.
    100_0894.JPG
     
  8. old_chevy
    Joined: May 28, 2012
    Posts: 189

    old_chevy
    Member
    from USA

    My rust is not that bad. I might be able to sand the rust out however I don't want to thin the metal.
     
  9. gene-koning
    Joined: Oct 28, 2016
    Posts: 5,620

    gene-koning
    Member

    The metal around those pits was sanded before the Ospho treatment, should have seen it before that! That area has been sanded several times by now. The pictures just highlight how deep the pits were (and still are), and how they have not expanded after the treatment (no expanded rust from the original pits, and no new pits). The cut out section shows the condition of the surrounding metal (inside of an enclosed section of the body). The area that was replaced was paper thin in 2011. I didn't expect the car to last more then a couple years back in 2011, so for it to make it to this point gives you an idea how well the Ospho has worked for me. 14 years and still going. Could I have treated inside of the enclosed area, it likely would have been in much better condition when it was cut open in 2018.

    There is a difference between sanding a surface you want to save, and trying to grind out rust pits. You can't grind out rust pits, you either replace the metal, or you sand lightly, treat it, finish it, and hope for the best.
     
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  10. Crusty Chevy
    Joined: Aug 28, 2007
    Posts: 1,320

    Crusty Chevy
    Member

    I use the 3M black stripping "rice cake" wheel in a drill, it does not take off any metal, only paint and rust. Unlike a wire wheel it will not throw sharp wires at you or dig into shallow pits turning them into holes, but cost more and last not as long. Stay away from sharp edges and it will last a good while.
     
  11. JD Miller
    Joined: Nov 12, 2011
    Posts: 2,637

    JD Miller
    Member

    I been using Ospho. Just before spraying primer to seal, wiped down with Solvent(de-nurtured alcohol or what ever, ) no water, just before primer
     
  12. TwistedMetal
    Joined: Nov 2, 2006
    Posts: 180

    TwistedMetal
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    This was after a paint stripping disk. Pitted rust can be difficult.
    upload_2025-6-10_12-34-16.jpeg

    Then this was after using rustoleum rust remover gel ( gel for curved surface). Cheap and you can buy it at Menards. On a flat surface, like your floor I'd use citric acid mixed with water. Can also soak that with a smooth rag and keep wet. If you have pitted rust or not is the question.
    upload_2025-6-10_12-36-9.jpeg
     
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