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Best rust treatment

2K views 14 replies 6 participants last post by  84554 
#1 ·
I've got a spot starting to rust, lower corner if the body, behind the license plate. It's bubbling up the paint and just cracked the paint do its exposed a little beneath the paint. I kind of think I need to take the license plate holder off and sand/grind it. Is this my best bet? Then just prime and paint? Is there any good rust eliminator that actually works? The stuff that's supposed to neutralize rust and turn it into a paintable surface?

 
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#3 ·
Your best bet is to excavate the entire area. Sandblasting is probably the quickest/easiest way. You really need to get back to clean rust-free metal for any repair to hold up. If the rust has gotten into the body seam, then all that needs to come apart to eliminate the rust before prepping & painting.

There are some good products out there for converting rust to a paintable surface, but eliminating the rust is the best way to make a long-term repair.
 
#5 ·
Really no need for power tools or air compressors for that area. Take the License plate Holder off and get some Automotive Sand Paper (Body Shop Supply or any decent Auto parts store) and sane the area down until you have clean metal. The area will probably be bigger than you see now, get it ALL.
Wipe it clean w/Acetone and Prime it and then Paint it. You may get a match from a Duplicolor rattle can. Clear coat and let dry for a day or two before reinstalling the bracket.
Attacking rust is best done sooner than later and get it ALL.

As for underneath, inside body panels, Frame, etc. I like Fluid Film but have used products from Eastwood co. Good stuff as well.
 
#6 ·
... get it ALL...
IMO, you simply can't get all the rust without blasting. No way sandpaper will get into all the little rust pits. Unless you get it ALL, it WILL come back. As they say, rust never sleeps. Some collision shops won't even touch rust repairs for this reason.

The area will probably be bigger than you see now...
This is for sure.

OP - Post some pics of the area after you get into it. Should be interesting to see what's under there, as the photo seems to show a good amount of paint bubbling.
 
#10 ·
Anyone know where the best place to get the touch up, matching paint is? Lots of places seem to have negative reviews of it not matching well. Thankfully it's pretty hidden on mine, but still would like to get the best in case I need it somewhere else down the road.
 
#15 ·
I have a small ( dime size) rust spot on my cowling , living in Orygone I think I'll
sand it down as much as I can to bare metal, get some Extend, and coat it ,then paint over it with a duplicate paint... ( Silver -Grey) ...
I'm not into big dollar paint jobs, it's a Jeep after all and subject to scratches and dings.
Luckily we do not Salt roads out here.... "BH"
 
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