De-rusting and Re-painting components - Suggestions?

[OK-944]

The front struts on my 85.5 look pretty rusty...but while this rust is actually flaking off in places, its a pretty thin layer with what appears to be good metal underneath. Same with my rear CV axles - looks like I could scrape them down and have basically good metal to work with.

So I'm thinking that I could do a careful and thorough job of removing this rust, and then repainting these components.

I've done a bit of "de-rusting and repainting" in the past...typically beginning with a thorough sanding/grinding, then undercoat with Rustoleum and topcoat with some type or other of auto paint - but the rust always seems to come back within a year or so.

With this in mind, does anyone have recommendations on what de-rusting procedures I should follow - and what products I might look for to help my re-painted components stay "fresh" a while longer? Thanks!

[krystar]

bench grinder wire wheel it down to shiny metal. try rust neutralizer, primer then paint. it might help

[Cocacolakidd]

Also check with Eastwood as they have several products that are what you are looking for - Rust encapsulation, etc.

Automotive Repair Tools, Automotive Accessories, Auto Body Tools - Eastwood Company

On the first page go to: Rust solutions - a red tab.

A good company with good people to deal with.

[rickharrison]

POR15

Buy the 3 quart kit online...has a cleaner, prep and the paint. The best out there for rust fixin'.

[emoore924]

I like soda blasting to remove scale and rust. Cleans up the surface well. Easy to do. No hazmat required. And once you wash/rinse/dry, you follow the application instructions for the paint you're using. Won't hurt/warp the metal like sand, nor is it as operator un-friendly, healthwise.

Just watch out, although it is "environmentally" friendly, it will kill your grass.

[fmartenies]

Electrolysis works great, especially for odd shapes and fragile parts like springs. The article below describes it pretty well. No special equipment needed either.


Best Way - Electrolysis for Rust Removal | eHow.com

[AA_Ezra]

+1 on electrolysis. I got a bit Blue Container with a lid from Lowes like 7$ ( 99% recycled plastic) and a large box of Pure Baking Soda from the Laundry isle at Walmart. and A Large FLat Metal bar about 1/4 inch i think purchased at lowes in the metal department which i used as the sacraficial piece that was pretty wide to make a lot of surface contact with water.

I used it on some Garden Tools, some things for the Kitchen... And I also Used it to take the Rust of My headers And Painted black( looks soo sweet).... Its fun and if you have kids it makes a cool science project


Oh and a cheap Battery charger lol


Note: there are many solutions of baking soda with water out there.. i used a decently concentrated version

Regards
J

[AA_Ezra]

Oh, you can use an Etching Primer which you can buy at walmart if you want to go crazy other wise just a paint that has rust preventative works

[fmartenies]

Originally Posted by AA_Ezra

Oh and a cheap Battery charger lol

I use jumper cables off my truck. The larger battery can handle it.

[emoore924]

Ja, If I could figure out how to get my car trailer into a bucket, that electrolysis thing would probably work nicely

[Cocacolakidd]

Drive on into the pool - add soda - run electric lines with the clothesline metal pole & plug into the wall - etc.

[cjpacitto]

Originally Posted by emoore924

Just watch out, although it is "environmentally" friendly, it will kill your grass.

I found that out the hard way Saturday... man is my wife pissed...

[cjpacitto]

I'm a big fan of sand blasting (don't use real sand) and powder coating (far more durable than paint).

[ernie9944]

Originally Posted by cjpacitto

I'm a big fan of sand blasting (don't use real sand) and powder coating (far more durable than paint).

I see you still got some black powder left on your face (avatar) Gee I told you to shoot the intake not your face no wonder the wife is piss no yum yum for you tonigth unless you wash up LOL.