Projects Best fix for rusty drip rails??

The drip rail in my 56 F-100 pickup is rusting. What is the best way to fix it. I was thinking about wire wheeling the rust out and using a rust converter like POR. Its my understanding that sheet metal is very thin there to begin with, so I'm worried about grinding to bare metal.

Thought?
Recommendations?

 

i usually just shave em, its never failed for me

 

I would sandblast it clean, then put a good primer down before paint, like DP90. A wire wheel won't ever get it completely clean, and the paint will bubble out later.

You don't have to use coarse sand if you're worried about warpage or blowing holes, there is finer media that can be used that's less destructive. But that's a critical area that needs to be cleaned of all rust. Probably a good idea to sandblast and paint the inside areas of the roof at the same time.

 

I was going to also suggest shaving them, the only problem is that they ARE there for a practical reason so water WILL run straight into your windows once they're gone. A wire wheel won't take too much good sheetmetal away as long as you keep moving...and if you DO burn through then likely it was all rust in that spot to begin with. Por 15 could work, but it won't be as friendly at accepting a wide variety of paints and primers. I would think about a Jasco phosphoric acid as a metal etch...just make sure you rinse it well. Neutralizes the rust and leaves a paintable surface without coating it.

 

Hey,

Sad fact of the matter is that it's the rust that you can't see that's the real problem! The only real "fix" that has ever worked for me was to cut out all of the rust, reweld in good metal, and rust treat to check further rusting. To just treat the surface rust, may at best, buy you a year or two. Given the cost of a good paint job today, surface treating rust isn't much of a bargin!

Swankey Devils C.C.
" Spending A Nation Into Generational Debt Is Not An Act Of Compassion!"

 

Shave em off

 

Shaving them isn't an option. It was my dads truck, plus I think they look better with em.

If I can get all the surface rust out, what is the best "drip rail sealer" or should I just paint and forget it?

 

Use a good self-leveling seam sealer from an auto paint jobber after primer and before paint

 

You definitely want to use seam sealer or they tend to look half****ed...this stuff seems to work well: 3M's Self-leveling seam sealer #8307

 

depends on the extent of the rust. surface rust requires a different approach than pitted or holes

 

Just find a good donor roof and do a roof swap. If the drip rails are rusting off there is bound to be a lot more rust in that roof, a not as rusty donor roof will save you a lot of time, money and frustration. If you do not have the windshield out I can almost bet there is rust around where the windshield weather strip lays. We did a roof swap on my 57 Pontiac for this exact same reason, check out my profile pics for some before and after.

 

It only been stuck out in the weather for the past 2 years. I don't think its that bad. I was just told there are thin near the rails even new. Its inside now.