The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop semi temporary paint

Hey guys,

I have a field rescue that I am fixing up mechanically to use for a while before I try a restoration. I would like to do the job right in the future when I have more funds.

The truck is covered in surface rust and I would like to slow down its deteriation. Can I just roll on some rustoleum rusty metal primer and a color and help protect it or will that just make things worse?

Covering it in paint only stops you from seeing it. It's happening as you sleep underneath the rust you can see where the real metal still exists whether its painted or not. But if it is just surface rust it won't get that much worse in the next year and a half and that's about all the you could expect to get out of covering it without prepping. Don't fall a rust inhibitor if you plan on restoring it later. (Unless your paying someone else to strip it) Drive it till you can do it right.

I agree with CASO. The so called "rust converters" that spray or paint on and claim to convert rust to an iron oxide primer are a waste of money IMHO. They merely cover the rust with a layer of primer but the rust continues underneath.

However, I am a firm believer in rust encapsulators like POR15 and ZeroRust which seal out moisture and prevent future rust. Don't apply these as a "time buying" step. They are expensive. Use them when you restore the truck properly.

It sounds like you merely want to buy some time and SLOW DOWN the rust process until you can address it properly. Paint will only diminish the amount of moisture that gets through to the metal, but it won't stop the rust. Also, water will penetrate most primers, (except epoxy primers), so regular primers won't do the job either. Epoxy primer is something to apply to properly treated metal that has had the rust removed.

So I guess I'd recommend to keep it away from rain and water if possible and treat the rust properly ASAP. If you have thinning paint, I guess you could add paint to that, but it seems a waste of money if you need to turn around and treat the panel properly anytime soon.

Thanks CASO,

I was afraid that it wouldn't slow anything down. Would it make things any worse as far as rust? I was thinking of having it stripped anyway. I'm going to need professional help if I am going to get it right. I think that the fenders may require a well made patch as well. I stitched them back together so they don't grab me as I walk past but if I the money or skill they should be cut and patched.

It probably won't be as soon as I would like. I am trying to be realistic on timeline. I am thinking that it may be a couple of years. It does have a nice garage space so its not out in the weather anyway.

well at first you say it's surface rust and now your talking about stitching them together so they don't grab you which sounds a lot more sketchy than 'surface' rust... So how about some photo's so we can see what it is your referring to? Then we can offer something more specific.

Good Point. This is a picture from where it was parked when I got it. I will probably upload some more current pictures soon.

http://s1098.photobucket.com/albums/g375/ejohnson34/?action=view&current=37ChevyRSide.jpg

The fenders are split because of impact and stress damage. There is some rot at the bottoms of the doors and couple places where moisture found material to soak into and sit. Otherwise it is more solid than it looks.

If it were me, I'd get the truck indoors and do the job the right way from the start. Your plans and finances will dictate your choice, but I think the cheapest option is also the best one - do it once and do it right.

What Lugz said. That thing is past due for proper care. You'd be suprised how far you'll get for minimal investment just getting it apart, cleaned (gently blasted or reverse electrolysis) in some epoxy primer and labeled. And how long that will all take.

Eric, I'm close to finishing my field rescue truck. It was in about the same shape as your truck. I've been at mine for a year and 2 months. I'm retired but didn't work on it full time.
I did both electrolysis and blasting. Blasting is faster.
The more you take apart the more rust you will find.
Your budget, time schedule and skill level will determine the direction you take.
Check my progress photos.

Thanks guys you have given me alot to think about. I am afraid of taking the truck completely apart and not putting it back together again. Then end up selling it off in boxes. My plan was to get it complete and patch up the bottoms of the doors and stuff before I took it apart to be stripped and painted.


Wayne the truck looks really good, makes me feel like it can be done.

Wayne,
Nice work and you've made a lot of progress in a short time. Being in Florida helps.

EricJ,
If you make even half the progress that Wayne did in a year, then you guys are putting me to shame. Either way, have fun with it.

I value the advice given to me as I started my truck resto 11 months ago.
1. Don't take it all apart without a plan.
2. Stick to your plan as much as possible.
3. Know what your skills are.
4. The Stovebolt folks are here to help.

Every time I reach an "I've never done this before" step, I always read the factory service manual. Then after I've done as much research on the subject that I can, I ask others on the Stovebolt for advice too.

Do it safely and the right way and you'll be proud of the results. YOU CAN DO IT!

I would just add
5. Cut yourself some slack when you start thinking it's taking forever... This project has taught me more about patience than any job or project I've ever undertaken.

I took this truck apart and put it back together with the attitude it's 10,000 little projects. Do them 1 at a time!

As Alvin Chipmunk has said do just 15 minutes a day and you will surprise yourself how much you accomplish.

You can do it!

First, I agree with all the other posts here and I'm sure so will disagree. But you said
What is "the future" - a couple of years? If so, I might spray it with some Latex paint, yeppers house paint. A few reasons, first it's cheap, will be a breeze to blast off when the time comes, will cover fast and will protect the metal for a short period of time. will it look like a show car, no. You could just spray automotive primer and paint as it sits with a bit of scuffing of the rust, single stage products, this will do the same as latex and look a bit better but will be harder to remove in the "future", as well as cost a heck of alot more.