Panelbeaters / Restorers - a question about rust removal.

[TonyRPH]

How do you deal with rust? (apart from the obvious course of cutting it out)

In past times, I have attempted to repair rust spots, sometimes in places where panel replacement is probably not viable (or even easily done).

I once read a guide which stated that the steel should be completely shiny, however I've had situations where I just cannot get rid of the tiny little black pits.

Is there a way to treat these? I find that even some of the rust preparations out there don't seem to get rid of this pitting.

I've heard of people painting it with acid, although this sounds a bit extreme...

Any suggestions?

[CDP]

Jenolite and Kurust are based on phosphoric acid and seem to work pretty well.

If there's better stuff and techniques out there please let me know too.

[TonyRPH]

Bump for the evening crowd.

Anybody?

[irf]

Would be interested in this myself, need to treat my car to some under arch errr treatment. Would be nice to know exactly how to treat any patches of rust I do encounter.

[Crafty_]

Use a knotted wire wheel on a grinder to get rid of the debris in the pits or use a rust treatment as suggested above.
You can also get rust encapsulators that will seal in any muck that will then render it "safe".

Frosts do alot of this sort of stuff : http://www.frost.co.uk/

[Neil_Sc]

I have found Deox C / Deox Gel, followed by Electrox (zinc rich primer) to be a superb combination on my car, both products by Bilt Hamber.

I had little success with the Kurust and the Bilt Hamber alternative called Hydrate 80, I had rust bubbling through the top coat within 6 months for the latter.

The Deox C is for bathing a part to derust it, versus Deox Gel for items that remain in place. The Electrox I found to be fantastic at keeping rust at bay, but preparation with the Deox products was key.

[jagnet]

Bilt Hamber products are very good.

Edit:
bah beaten to it ^

[steveo3002]

wire wheel it best you can , then bilt hamber deox gel will remove the rest , does take repeated soakings over a few days and doenst work that great in the cold either, but will eventualy clean it back to shiney steel or holes

[5paul5]

Only sure way to cure rust is to cut it out, otherwise you are just slowing down the process.

[eldar]

5paul5 said:

Only sure way to cure rust is to cut it out, otherwise you are just slowing down the process.

This, really, for a proper repair, particularly somewhere visible. Assuming its more than just surface rust.

Once its started, it spreads.

[TallPaul]

5paul5 said:

Only sure way to cure rust is to cut it out, otherwise you are just slowing down the process.

I'd agree with this.
If its so badly pitted you're struggling to get back to clean metal, very few rust treatments seem to work, they're ok for light surface rust but nothing major. In my experience, they convert the surface of the rust very well but this then forms a barrier that the gel/liquid cannot penetrate, leaving the underneath still rusty. If you cant grind it out and a wire wheel or needle gun (depending on the thickness of the parent metal) arent sufficient, get the welder out.

[redgriff500]

Neil_Sc said:

I have found Deox C / Deox Gel, followed by Electrox (zinc rich primer) to be a superb combination on my car, both products by Bilt Hamber.

I had little success with the Kurust

^^^ This 100%