The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop CAN I KEEP THE RUST ?

Ok i'm building a rat rod truck and would like to keep the surface rust on the body . Can I put a clear coat satin finish on top of the rust ? Will that protect the metal from future rust ? What will happen to the metal under the rust ?

A vehicle with surface rust showing in a few spots as well as some paint and primer can be waxed. However, if you have rustout, it is like cancer. You have to get rid of it to keep it from spreading.

The whole body part is covered in surface rust , its not like there a certain spot with rust its the whole thing completely covered. so even if I cover it with a satin clear coat the rust will continue to spread?

NO. The best bet is to remove the rust and do a fake rust paint job. Use a sponge to dab some brown and red then clear coat it. Rust if it is left will eat your truck.

It certainly depends on what you do with the truck, what weather it will see... If it is a good weather-only truck, going to a few shows, the rust should pretty much stop spreading: if the rust stays dry, it will not spread much, if at all. The surface rust on your truck may already be 20 years old, the body should last quite a few more years! I love patina, do not remove the original surface rust, it is only original once!
POR15 makes their paint-on-rust product in clear: it will keep the rust colour, "encapsulating" the rust to stop it; you can also easily apply it by hand brush or sponge; the finish will be shiny, though.
Maybe some other members know of other similar products, the main issue is to find something that will "stick"to the rust.

Rust needs Oxygen...If you can seal it,and it is 'only' surface rust and you can prevent further oxidation you should be O.K.

Mine looked great before it was shipped over from Ca. It had real nice 'patina' (rust) but the importer decided to drown it in Red Oxide paint!

BTW where's the ?