[Shop-talk] How to remove surface rust over entire car?

[Doug Braun]

I agree with the phosphoric acid approach, based on my
experience with that stuff.  

And get lots of scotch-brite pads!

You can do a first pass with the pads and detergent,
to remove the loose flaky, dusty rust.

Afterwards paint it with 2-part epoxy primer like
PPG's DPLF, NOT regular automotive primer.  Most
rattle-can automotive primers are lacquer-based with a
lot of fillers like talc, and do not seal the surface
at all.  I'm sure you have seen a car with a hood or
fender that was stripped and given a coat of gray
rattle-can primer and then never properly finished,
and new rust is starting to come through it?

Doug


--- Karl Vacek <kvacek at ameritech.net> wrote:

> If the rust is too much for plain conversion
> coating, go to Home Depot, etc. 
> & buy a gallon of phosphoric acid, dilute minimally
> as directed, and bruch 
> it on repeatedly.  Scotch-Brite helps in the
> process, and is better than 
> most alternatives.  Wear gloves - it won't hurt now,
> but the rough peeling 
> skin on your fingers in a day or two will make you
> wish you hadn't bathed in 
> it.