Rust spots...

[c_olcott]

What is the best method for removing paint and rust in small areas? Now that the winter is over i want to touch up the small rust patches I have. Should I use sandpaper, if so what grit? Also what would be the best method to repaint? If I'm not mistaken they have a "rust inhibitor" that comes in the nail polish like bottles. Anyways I'll let you pro's tell me what to do

 

[91 SHOplus]

Sadly, rust "spots" are literally the "tip of the iceburg". It sucks, but once you start sanding, you soon realize how bad it is. eek!

If it's just surface rust, you can sand it out. Sand at least 2-3" around where the rust stops.
(if you have a 2" spot, sand a 6" circle around it.)

If it's bad, like a hole or close to penetrating, you gotta cut it out, again taking about 2-3" of good metal out with it.

If you don't take that much out around it, It will have a 99.9% chance of coming back. It's car-cancer.

The rust inhibitor stuff I think you were describing is called POR-15. All the street rodders use it.

<small>[ March 24, 2003, 11:21 AM: Message edited by: 91 SHOplus ]</small>

 

[93redATX]

Along these same lines, how do you go about putting new metal back in? Obviously it's welded somehow, but what method is used? I have some rust around my back fenders, and right near the fuel fill door, and it's pretty much right through the fender. Is repairing something like this "easy" to do yourself, or is it better left to a body shop? I'd really like to replace the metal and everything myself, and have a body shop just do the repaint over the area. shrug

 

[SHO_Driver]

Well unless you can MIG weld its bodyshop time. Once you cut out the rusted metal you need to make a new metal patch that can be tucked into the body. Although you could pop rivet it into place it won't be as easy or as strong as welding.

Also the bodyshop will most likely want to drop the gas tank before welding around the fuel filler door. More labour costs!

 

[JoeHoe_SHO]

I have some rust on the inside lower door panels(bottom edge of inside door) Same method to get rid of it.