Suggestions Please

[sharper]

Little by little I am getting close to fixing the rust issues on my car. I have the floor cut out to replace it but I need to get all the surface rust out of the hidden areas before the new one goes in. I am having a hard time getting in between the two lower pieces of the firewall. There is only about a 2 inch separation, not to mention all the various tubes passing through, so I can't get a wire wheel in there. I have been using a small wire brush but I'd like to get it cleaner than I am currently able to. Does anyone know of an easier and more thorough way to get in here?

[914GT]

You already know what it would take to get close to total rust-free bare metal in those areas - media blasting. About all you can do otherwise is vacuum out all the loose dirt and rust and apply a rust converter. I've taped a piece of poly tubing to a shop vac and worked that around inside to suck out the loose stuff. Then take a garden sprayer to spray a rust converter like Rust Mort to convert and stabilize surface rust. You could get some extra protection if you could get some rust proofing paint like POR15 inside. I've done this by working in a small foam roller cover on plastic tubing.

[sean_V8_914]

Ospho or Jasco.
convert teh iron oxide to iron phosphate
avialable under $5 at Home depot, home base, home thingy...

[914GT]

The Jasco 'Prep & Primer' looks like the same stuff as the SEM Products Rust Mort sold at auto paint suppliers. If it's only $5/quart then that's the way to go.

[sean_V8_914]

POR-15 metal ready uses the same basic chemistry also but they added some zinc. main ingredient is phospheric acid

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

"Naval Jelly" is another term that may help you to find a "generic" equivalent.

--DD

[John 9:14]

Ospho is great. Only problem with it though is the black residue (iron phosphate mentioned above) it leaves. It can be as difficult to remove as the rust. I have noticed some people leave it there in areas like you are describing that will never be seen by anyone else.

[sean_V8_914]

POr 15 over the top of it. the key is to stop the iron oxidation

[914GT]

Yes, that's the purpose of the converters - change the rust to a stable coating. If you want to remove the rust then that's where Naval Jelly or removers come in. But it's almost impossible to get it completely out of areas like the tunnel or longs. Just convert it and leave it, and take steps to prevent water from being trapped in those areas.

[mike95125]

John 9:14, the intent of ospho is to leave the black iron phosphate on as a protectant. You can paint over it and it will not further exfoliate/oxidize.

[M. Hendrix]

yeah yeah!

You need to surface the area first with emory cloth, a wire brush... ect.. Ospho, then just get that area hot, dry it out, and hit it with some primer..

Sticks like you wouldn't believe!


M