Over the last few months I have been sanding my 56 F100 body to bare metal. I'm concerned with the metal being bare for so long. Its in my garage and to my eyes I see no rust forming. How are you guys dealing with a stripped car that has been bare for a while and transitioning to priming? Its too cold to prime as I go, the temp currently is ranging from 20-40 degrees. Are you doing another sanding before priming or are you using a chemical treatment. The thought of doing another sanding makes me cringe but I want the truck done right. Any info would be appreciated.
I'd give it a good bath with a zinc phosphate. I use por-15's Metal Ready, although I think they have changed the name on it recently. Put some in a spray bottle and keep the surfaces wet til they turn gray..about 15 minutes in warm weather, longer time in cold. while it's wet occasionally go over the surface with a skotchbrite pad. Rinse it off with water when done. In your case, I'd leave all the residue and coating on until your ready for epoxy priming, then d a the metal back to shiney just before priming. Regardless of what por-15 says, the coating left does not help with adhesion unless it's areas that are getting the por-15 paint. Any areas being (epoxy) primed need to have the coating removed or you will have adhesion problems.
Different parts of my truck have been bare for years. The only time I saw any flash rust was when I tried using a chemical treatment in a spot as an experiment. My garage does stay dry though, so that helps a lot. Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
Non heated garage, high humidity and bare metal. Hmmmmm... I dont normally strip a panel unless it is getting coated by the end of the day. Just preventative measures. I would consider removing the surface rust (sanding again) and using a metal prep before coating.
If it doesn't appear to be rusting, don't worry about it. If you are going to prime or do something to it later, use some metalprep on it then. If it is rusting, put something on it. I've had cars sitting in my garage for years in bare metal, they get metal prep before going anywhere else.
Do you guys really use water? I have never had any luck with that. Every time I have used water I end up with the part covered in surface rust. I usually wash with wax and grease remover. Not sure if it neutralizes it. Never liked the idea of putting water on bare metal.
all great information, thanks guys...i really wish I could prime right now but its just to cold for that and I need to make progress on the truck so waiting for warm weather to sand down and metal repair is just not a option Heres a pic of the truck, it appears to have rust but its really jut the brown primer being sanded off
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