Up Fix'in the 911 Trunk

[Billiam 911 2.8]

1970 911 trunk with minor surface rust, mainly just old and tired. I am not looking for a concours result/effort here. This is my long time DE car that I just want to get looking good. I am thinking some wire brushing, sanding and a hard rust fighting paint (hopefully without primer). I will get new trunk carpet and maybe relocate my Optima to the smugglers box. The videos I found online are either concours level or paint on new sheet metal after rust removal. TIA
Billiam

[PeteKz]

Like any paint, the more work you put into surface prep, the better the result. That's the part that keeps sucking you further into the project. But you can avoid going crazy.

I don't think wire brushing is very effective for removing rust, although it's better than nothing. Also use a phosphoric acid type metal prep, "rust remover", etc. Naval Jelly is the same kind of stuff in gel form. POR-15 has a product that's supposed to go on before you apply the POR-15 topcoat, that is very good. These will convert light to moderate rust and provide a paintable surface. Forget about the false promises of "good rust fighting paint without a primer." That's a clever marketing scam. If you have any areas of pitting, really the only thing that will work is sandblasting.

Since it's an early car, I would try to get rid of any rust and get back to bare metal as much as possible. If the front pan is in structurally good shape, really try to preserve that. If it's not, then you have to decide how far you want to go before you have new panels welded in. If the rest of the car is in good structural condition, the long hoods are too valuable now to not do a good job of rust repair, remediation, and preservation. Yes, use a 2-part epoxy primer on the areas you have painstakingly de-rusted. Unless you want to have the pleasure of doing it again a few years from now.

[Billiam 911 2.8]

Thanks, Pete. Sorry for the late response as I have been busy focusing on the care for my wife who had spinal reconstruction (fusion) surgery. I have owned this car since 1986 and it had a major rust remediation and full repaint in 1999. I need to post some pictures and be more active on Pelican.