The Rust Doctor - rust treatment solution

[MichiganMat]

http://www.therustdoctor.com/

I saw this at a GoodGuys Rod & Custom show, looks really interesting, especially for older cars like mine (ours). You apply it to the area and the rusty sections turn black and harden with latex. Neat stuff.

Has anyone ever used it before? Thoughts?

m.

[RickM]

There are a few products that are essentially the same.

I believe Duro had a product called Extend-it which I've used in the past with mixed results. IMO, nothing will beat a strip, treat and refinish. However, a product of this type may be effective for temporarily arresting the progress of surface rust.

[scottb]

Doesn't Por-15 do the same thing?

[vash]

it is a rust converter? i saw them using it on a teevee show where they were building some old hotrod. they said it works.

[HarryD]

Originally posted by scottb
Doesn't Por-15 do the same thing?

No, POR 15 is an impervious coating that you put over neutralized rust.

[scottb]

Harry: You're absolutely correct. From Por-15's website:

Rust conversion products claim to change the chemical nature of rust and convert it to a more stable element that won't rust again. History of the failure of these products is well documented; most simply don't work for more than a few months at best, and they are subject to the same chipping and cracking that occurs with ordinary rust coatings.

POR-15 works because it chemically bonds to rusted metal and forms a rock- hard, non-porous coating that won't crack, chip, or peel. It keeps moisture away from metal with a coating that is strengthened by continued exposure to moisture.

[john70t]

Good link. It might be useful when applied at high pressure inside the rockers and the hollows of the chassis. There are a few products such as that, but they should be followed up with an insulating preventative coating.
The rust-fix in a can turns the surface black in severe cases, but then the rust shingle flakes off and it's back to square one.

[CliffBrown]

I used the Extend product about 20 years ago on a steel drive shaft that was used in my sailboat's diesel drive train. When I bought the boat the untreated shaft had a fair amount of surface rust and several large flakes (it had been submerged in saltwater for an extended period in the bilge). I beat and scrapped off the larger flakes and then applied the Extend. The next day I painted it with Rust-Oleum if I remember. I cruised that boat for about two years in the Caribbean without any change in the appearance of the shaft. When I sold the boat a professional surveyor inspected the boat for the new owner, the bank and the insurance company and no faults were found with the drive train. I don't sell that product but I would sure use it again if I wanted to pretreat a serious rust area that was inaccessible or difficult to restore.

[HarryD]

Originally posted by scottb
Harry: You're absolutely correct. From Por-15's website:

Rust conversion products claim to change the chemical nature of rust and convert it to a more stable element that won't rust again. History of the failure of these products is well documented; most simply don't work for more than a few months at best, and they are subject to the same chipping and cracking that occurs with ordinary rust coatings.

POR-15 works because it chemically bonds to rusted metal and forms a rock- hard, non-porous coating that won't crack, chip, or peel. It keeps moisture away from metal with a coating that is strengthened by continued exposure to moisture.

POR 1-5 is a great product, but to use it, they have you remove grease and oil and then treat with phosphoric acid (naval jelly) to convert the rust (ferric oxide) to a different, more stable iron compund (iron phosphate). You then neutralize the phosphoric acid and coat the surface wth POR 15. The POR 15 adheres to the converted rust surface and prevents moisture from reaching it.

Pretty clever if you ask me.

[competentone]

I've tried a number of "rust converter" products; I've found Mar-Hyde's "One Step" to be the most effective.

http://www.bondo-online.com/catalog_item.asp?itemNbr=298

I've had the least success with the "water soluble" rust converters--many of which suggest using a latex finish paint; that doesn't work well in an automotive application.

Most of the rust converters will also have problems if used on rusting galvanized metal--the zinc coating interferes with the agents acting with the rust.

The really important thing with these products is to follow the instructions very carefully--proper surface preparation is key.

My understanding of the chemistry: The "red iron oxide" we know as "rust" has an attached water molecule--which makes it unstable. The rust converters drive off the water molecule creating a stable molecule of iron oxide that paint and other sealers can bond to effectively.

[89 Speedy]

I have no affiliation with this company, just trying to preserve my baby. Email if you want the link. Anyone else use this?

From the website . . . .

Understanding the rust process helps to illustrate just how CAT does work.

If the paint of a motor vehicle is damaged then the metal can become exposed to a number of elements that combine to damage or rust the metal.

The CAT rust prevention system protects your car by forming a "field" of electrons around your car as an invisible barrier.

Should the metal of your car become exposed to the elements (paint weakness or scratch.) the "field" provides the electrons sought by the water and salts that are "attacking" your vehicle, thereby leaving your car intact and rust free.

When the metal of your car is exposed by a scratch or an abrasion to water and air, the iron in the metal gives up electrons to the water,changing the metal's composition and allowing oxidization/rust to form.

The CAT rust protection system provides an abundance of free electrons from an invisible field in and around all the metal in your car.

These free electrons are used instead of depleting the electrons from the metal, thereby the metal is left unchanged and this process greatly reduces oxidization/rusting of the metal.

CAT Benefits
Totally effective and safe. 15 years tested and proven internationally

Helps increase the value of your car at trade-in time.

Gives protection against rust as the result of stone chips, abrasions, salt, snow, and sea spray.

Transferable from one vehicle to the next.

Will not invalidate your vehicle's warranties.

Will not interfere with the vehicle's electrical or computer systems.

Has failsafe device to always leave battery enough power to start the vehicle.

No health problems as with chemical rust proofing.

Totally effective and safe.

Ten year warranty on new vehicles (Australia)

Prevents rust spreading on older vehicles.

Environmentally safe.

Easy to install either DIY or by local auto electrician.

12 Months product guarantee on any vehicle.

The CAT corrosion prevention system was designed in 1987 specifically to prevent rust in motor vehicles. The CAT SYSTEM offers numerous advantages over conventional proof coat or spray type rust proofing methods.

Here are just a few of them...
NO Harmful chemicals.
NO Holes drilled in chassis or doors.
NO Messy sprays required.
NO Smell or drip stained driveways.
NO Unsightly oversprays on panels or under the bonnet.
NO Need to unscrew panels or remove light fittings.

Yes The CAT is completely harmless to your family.
Yes The CAT has a 10 year warranty.(Australia)
Yes The CAT is impact resistant.
Yes The CAT is easy to install.
Yes The CAT can be transferred to your next car.
Yes The CAT has an advanced electronic design.
Yes The CAT reduces static electricity effects like
car-sickness and static zap.
Yes The CAT Rust Protection System has been thoroughly tested and proven
by Donald Harrison, MIEE, CE, CBE, DFH,
an eminent physicist (UK), E.T.R.S. Metallurgists,
M.I. Metallurgists (Australia), C.R.I.Q. Laboratories (Canada)

Yes The CAT - fighting against the battle with rust.

[kach22i]

Great time of year to have this thread - thanks.

[HarryD]

For those looking for a easy rust fix via electric protection, a few old threads to ponder:

Electronic Rust Prevention

Electronic Rust Prevention

[80sc man]

THere is a product called Picklex. It is a rust converter that has been tested up against other products like: Zero Rust, Por-15, and a couple different coatings. It is great and truly does convert the rust. Len at Autobodystore.com sells the product. They have an Active bbs that you can post autobody related questions.