Rust Treatment

[Alias218]

Afternoon all,

Once the weather bucks it’s ideas up I intend to go at the rear arch tubs and remove some surface rust, treat and seal. I won’t be removing any factory applied stone chip paint or attack areas that don’t need it. My plan is thus:

1. Put car up on stands
2. Remove wheels and trim as necessary
3. Give arch tubs a thorough degrease using the following and leave to dry: https://www.rust.co.uk/product/safer-degreaser--89
4. Knock off any loose flaky rust using stiff wire brush, rub back areas to bare steel as needed.
5. Clean prepared areas and leave to dry.
6. Apply treatment: https://www.bilthamber.com/hydrate-80
7. Coat entire arch tub with stone chip paint (recommendations required!).
8. Top coat in black or silver/grey paint (car is grey).

Does this seem like a reasonable course of action/combination of materials? The corrosion is very light, surface rust in most instances.

My biggest concern is the Hydrate 80 not taking and/or the stone chip paint reacting with it. Suspension and brake components, sub-frame assemblies etc. will of course be covered.

Any tips would be gratefully received.

TIA.

[sgtBerbatov]

I would use a rust inhibiting primer after the treatment, and then apply stone chip or even a thicker underseal paint.

[Alias218]

Thanks for the reply. What would you recommend? As mentioned, I’m wary of reactions between the Hydrate 80 and whatever goes on top.

[sgtBerbatov]

Alias218 said:

Thanks for the reply. What would you recommend? As mentioned, I’m wary of reactions between the Hydrate 80 and whatever goes on top.

I can't give a recommendation, as I used Hammertie Krust and normal primer with stone chip on top on my Corolla and the rust has came back through.

[jagnet]

Hydrate 80 provides a barrier against further corrosion and acts as a primer. You don't need further primers over the top and many won't work as intended if you do try to do so, for example BH's Etchweld and Electrox need to be in contact with bare metal which won't happen with a layer of Hydrate 80 underneath.

If you really want to improve the long term corrosion resistance further then BH's epoxy mastic paint over Hydrate 80 is excellent. It can be brushed on, rollered on or sprayed when thinned using 10% 2 pack thinners. It's much tougher than normal paints and resists stone chipping well, but you can overcoat it with stone chip paint if you wanted to. You can spray the epoxy mastic body colour and then coat with Dynax UC for a clear wax protection, or Dynax UB if you don't mind the darker colour.

[Alias218]

Thanks very much. I’ll look into those products - looks like it could be a plan. As I’m only doing the patches that require it, I think some stone chip over the top would make it more aesthetically pleasing to fill the gaps between the factory applied stuff.

Thank you both for your help.