I have been restoring and repairing cars since I was 15. I am 63 now. I am a darn good mechanic and not bad at paint and body except for one issue. My nemesis, rust!!
My very first car, bought when I was 15, was a 1954 Austin-Healey 100-4. Bought in decent running condition for maybe $350. I was going to fix it up well in advance of getting my license. My dad was supposed to help. Long short, my dad bailed and I could not get past the rust beneath the aluminum panels.
I love Alfa Romeos and have owned about 10 of them over the years. Usually, late 70's and early 80's. Google Alfa Romeo rust. They are infamous and they melt away.
So, guess what? Now I own a rusty 1972 GMC Sprint and the time has come to conquer this dragon.
Lets leave off replacing panels or welding in patch panels and let's just address dealing with rust in place, please. This is because my 1994 GMC pickup has some serious surface rust issues that I would like to fix first.
Please give me some feedback on the following methods and feel free to correct my misimpressions:
- Muriatic acid: Obvious handling and disposal hazards. [u]Removes[/u] rust quickly but may damage substrate. Flash rust from fumes.
- Evapo-rust: [u]Removes[/u] rust slowly. Safe to use.
- Phosphoric acid: Obvious handling and disposal hazards. [u]Converts[/u] rust, does not remove it.
- Ospho: Similar to phosphoric aid.
- POR-15: [u]Converts[/u] rust and acts as a primer? Best used in areas like undercarriage, not suitable for finish paint?
- Did leave anything out? Vinegar?
So if you had a body panel with significant surface rust, how would you prep it for finish paint?
Thanks
