The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop <<<sigh>>> rust converting/stopping questions again....

I know that you guys are probably tired of discussing this, but I searched and just confused myself some more. SHOULD I paint the truck with SOME thing that converts(or stops) rust to keep it from getting worse(opinions and if possible facts?) Is there(does rustoleum convert it?) something that converts or at least stops it and is cheap? Looks aren't important to me, I'd leave it like it is if I wasn't worried about rust killing anything worse than it is.

Oh, just getting ideas, no worries about me doing anything soon.

Boy JD that is a tuffy!...blastin or stripping and a good primer sealer is abought the only sure way, but for now if you could find a dry garage or barn to keep it out of the weather would surely help with at least some of rust from growing.
As far as rustoleum "NO" it will not convert it just cover it up for a while.
There are several manufacturers of rust converting coatings, Eastwood has a 2 part sysyem you mix 1 to 1 of each part and brush it on it worked fantastic on my cabs windshield frame, I then followed up with there rust encapsulator in that area.
To cover your truck in a rust converter would surely be EXPENSIVE!.
Tim

Unless you are restoring your truck now, as in cutting and replacing sheetmetal, and you want to stop the rust that's on parts you don't want to replace you are wasting your time.

In the 50+ years your truck has existed it has only rusted as much as you see. It's not going to get that much worse in another couple years until you get ready to cut and replace parts. In fact, the rate at which metal rusts decreases over time because the rust that's there actually slows the process by blocking some air from reaching the virgin steel.

Save your money and concentrate on first things first.

AHA!!! Just what I wanted to hear!

jordan i agree with what wwody says.the stuff your gonna replace i wouldnt fool with.if you feel you have to do something and want to do it on the cheap you could try this. rustoleum does make a rust reformer,kinda cheap like 5.00 at wally world.would wire wheel it,use the stuff and cover with good ol rustoleum.my .02...............dave

I agreed too. If it's not going to hurt anything I wouldn't worry about it but there's not much that needs replaced, other that MAYBE the tailgate and definitely the running boars. What "stuff" are you referring too?

the rust reformer.i bought a couple cans at wal mart havent got around to doing it yet.go to ro's website and check it out.it and their paint is cheap.one thing i did do a long time ago was to brush on a coat of their rusty metal primer then a coat of their gloss black.the way my cab sat outside unprotected for almost 9yrs,i believe this was what saved my floor boards.i did have to replace both cab corners and patch a hole in one cowl. it was stupid and my own fault it was almost a rust free cab which by the way got the panels welded in last week. i also started painting my frame again. it held up amazing outside in the elements all that time. once again rustoleum i would brush a section and then fogged it with the same in a spray can to help smooth it out.looked really good.......dave

Now I'm left with the question of "to do or not to do". I probably won't do this since you guys think it's no big deal and if I do it'll definitely be after the brakes.

smart..................dave

Thanks... Why does everyone keep telling me that?