Repainting rusty wheel arches - what do I need?

[mikeyr]

Decided that my summer ( ) project is going to be to sort out some rust spots on the car myself.

I know the basic principles (and that 90% of the finish is down to prep) so what do I need to have to hand to do a reasonable job? The rust I wanna attack myself is only a light bubbling around the arches and I understand I can get some sort of rust prevention paint - what I don't know is which specific items to get.

E.g. - what primer/rust "killer" would people recommend, sander attachments for drill, filler recommendations etc?

Any recommendations or pointers to threads that will prove useful?

[Zad]

In my experience, all the stuff that claims convert rust to metal simply doesn't, but leaves hidden rust which comes through later. The stuff which I have found works best is the green gel that you paint on and wash off later. It takes a few applications but really eats all the rust, leaving clean metal behind. Because it is effectively etched metal, it gives a good surface for the primer to key in. Hammerite do this gel in various sized pots.

[mikeyr]

Zad said:

In my experience, all the stuff that claims convert rust to metal simply doesn't, but leaves hidden rust which comes through later. The stuff which I have found works best is the green gel that you paint on and wash off later. It takes a few applications but really eats all the rust, leaving clean metal behind. Because it is effectively etched metal, it gives a good surface for the primer to key in. Hammerite do this gel in various sized pots.

thanks zad, i'll check that out.what grade paper would you recommend? and is there a preferred paint provider?

[TallPaul]

Its very likely that the small bubbles of rust will turn into large holes once you start grinding/ sanding them out. 99 times out of 100, rust on wheel arches starts from the inside, eating through the steel to the outside.

[mikeyr]

OK, so i'm thinking...

• Clean car
• Sand (is this necessary if using Deox-gel? should i use a wire brush at this point too?)
• Deox gel
• Filler where necessary
• Sand again
• Wipe paint
• Hammerite anti-rust primer
• Paint (is it worth going direct to BMW for a can rather than the local Halfords? )

Am i missing anything or this sound about right?

[Daston]

Try to get a Zink baised primer. I am in the process of clearing the rust of the Tuscan's chassis and this stuff is fantastic! I am sanding down to bare metal though and making sure no rust is left.

[Neil_Sc]

mikeyr said:

OK, so i'm thinking...

• Clean car
• Sand (is this necessary if using Deox-gel? should i use a wire brush at this point too?)
• Deox gel
• Filler where necessary
• Sand again
• Wipe paint
• Hammerite anti-rust primer
• Paint (is it worth going direct to BMW for a can rather than the local Halfords? )

Am i missing anything or this sound about right?

Get some Bilt Hamber electrox, it is a zinc primer with very high zinc solids, awesome stuff.