Small areas of rust pits on sheet metal

[Nostalgic Dave]

I've stripped all the original paint off my car to prep it for new paint, and as I expected there are some areas where rust had attacked the sheet metal due to a scratch, a chip, or under trim where dirt and moisture could collect. The metal is solid, it is just surface corrosion.



What is the best way to treat this before applying primer? Use Picklex 20 on this spot and scuff/shoot, or should I do Picklex 20 on the whole panel to be safe? No doubt there are other small microscopic rust specs I can't see. I don't want to compromise the bonding of the primer to the metal if I can avoid it... seems like Picklex is more ideally suited to chassis work and hidden areas, correct? I am planning to prime with DPLF, then Featherfill.

BTW, 5 bonus points to anyone who can identify the car from only this pic.

Thanks!

[dave_demented]

i think the best method would be to media blast it or to wire wheel the rust those pits. however picklex would definately work without any problems, and then coat it with epoxy, etc

[Nostalgic Dave]

I guess I should have mentioned, media blasting is not an option. I don't have a spot blaster, and this is a budget project, I can't afford to have the whole body blasted. Using the wire wheel, that still never really gets ALL the rust out.. at least, not for me. Maybe I'm not aggressive enough with it. As I understand it... any rust whatsoever left untreated will come back to haunt me. If Picklex converts the rust completely, and I come back over the area with the D.A. before topcoating... I'll be ok?

[dave_demented]

the way that len alwasy reccomends the use of picklex is to work it in with a scuff pad, and to make sure its not too thick. once its dry and your ready to put your primer on it, knock down the gloss on it and spray away

[John Kelly]

My low tech solution is to use a mild phosforic acid like metalready. Put a little over the rust and let it sit for a minute, then scrub it with an applicator brush until the rust is gone. This works really well. If there are deep pits, I use a broken drill bit at an angle to carve out the rust.

John www.ghiaspecialties.com

[Ron H]

You can buy a cheap spot blaster gun for around $20. Use it and treat the areas with picklex after. Regards Ron

[CraigS]

Even if you left tiny bits of rust behind in those pits, once it's sealed over with primer and paint, the rust won't come back.

[Len]

Even if you left tiny bits of rust behind in those pits, once it's sealed over with primer and paint, the rust won't come back.

In most cases the rust won't allow the primer to make a good bond with the surface and can cause problem spots later. If you convert the trust first you eliminate this problem. However you still need a stable surface and you can't just convert loose rust to solve any potential problems.

[Nostalgic Dave]

Thanks guys. I'll grab one of those low-budget spot blasters and give it a try. I used some more "elbow grease" and a better wire wheel and was able to remove the majority of the rust, but I can still see a slightly darker area than the surrounding steel. I guess if I get it that clean then used Picklex, I'd be fine.

[48chyrscoupe]

In most cases the rust won't allow the primer to make a good bond with the surface and can cause problem spots later. If you convert the trust first you eliminate this problem. However you still need a stable surface and you can't just convert loose rust to solve any potential problems.

Here is the kind of rust I am dealing with, should I grind out as much as I can and use Picklex, to be followed by Epoxy primer. The steel is 16 or 18 gauge on my 48 Chrys Coupe, sorry if the pics aren't too clear. The bigger rusted areas were down along the rocker areas, I have cut out the rust and welded in new 18 gauge steel, then fibreglass filled with body filler over that.....................Thanx in Advance Fred