Surface Rust Removal

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Scott91370

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Working on the cargo area portion of the bed of the truck and I'm trying to get the rust off so I can put down some sort of liner. The front corners look as if the previous owner left leaves/grass there and moisture rusted it. It is not through but a thick surface rust as in picture one. I used the wheel in picture two to get it down to what you see in picture 3 and it worked pretty fast, just didn't get it all. Any suggestions on how to get rid of it other than keep going or using a wire wheel? I don't mind that the bed won't be smooth with the left over bumps from where the rust was I just don't want to paint over something that is going to allow the liner to peel up after a couple of years.
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legopnuematic

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I would start with a wire wheel, knock all the heavy/loose stuff off, then D/A with 80 grit because the wire wheel will likely glaze over the metal, then either use some rust converter, or a product like Tamco's 5311 primer will seal any of the rust that is still there and makes a great base for top coating.

Or sandblast, that will actually get all the rust out even in the pits.
 

HotRodPC

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I use rust converter, turns rust into a primer. Brush it on, sand it down then paint over it.
Yep, if you're just going to put a liner in it, then I'd use like POR-15 which is a rust converter. Keep in mind, rust converters usally are not UV resistant but so long as you're putting a liner over it, then it should be safe from the UV.

If you're getting the rust off with a wire wheel, then I'd be sure to hit it with self etching primer next before I did anything else with it.
 
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Scott91370

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I think I'm going to do wire wheel, then sand to give it a little grip then epoxy or self etching primer.

Sure wish I didn't have a budget on this build, the entire thing would have been blasted from the roof to the entire frame and suspension then powder coated and painted. Dang wife!!
 

Scott91370

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I did PO-15 on the frame and suspension and bottom of the bed (will be doing bottom of the cab and inside all fender wells) but this rust is way more than I feel comfortable just painting over.
 

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Yep, if you're just going to put a liner in it, then I'd use like POR-15 which is a rust converter. Keep in mind, rust converters usally are not UV resistant but so long as you're putting a liner over it, then it should be safe from the UV.

If you're getting the rust off with a wire wheel, then I'd be sure to hit it with self etching primer next before I did anything else with it.

Is not POR15 more of an encapsulater than a converter?
I would still use a converter first, rinse of with water, then POR15..
Have I been doing an extra step for nothing?
 

shiftpro

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Anyway they always recommend you need lots of rust for converter to work. But as much as you grind of even sandblast, the rust will be deep in the metal, on a micro level as far as I'm concerned, and the converter will get into this micro crevasses where it it always returns from (the grave!).
For what it's worth, I will always hit it with converter first.
 

Scott91370

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C10MixMaster

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I think this is what I'll be getting: Ospho

https://www.amazon.com/SKYBRYTE-Sky...dp/B000C02B3W/ref=psdc_15718511_t2_B000C02CDG


Shiftpro - POR will encapsulate it and is supposed to keep it from being able to break through. I don't trust it that much so even on the frame and suspension I sanded and used a rust remover that I could let the small enough parts soak in so everything was pretty dang clean.

I've used ospho with decent results. would recommend getting a spray bottle to apply it. I you keep it wet and use a wire brush it will remove some of the rust and help it penetrate deeper. my only complaint would be it leaves a white film.
 

Jeff Lewis

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wire wheel, then muriatic acid, then self etch primer, then rust encapsulator, then top coat, then pray
 

Craig Nedrow

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I have used/am using this stuff, Paint is very similar to POR15 that I have used in the past. Get it on your hands, and it takes two weeks to wear it off. I like it as you can brush or spray it on.

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highdesertrange

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get a wire wheel on an angle grinder. not a drill(toy). get all you possibly can off then do the acid etch(rust converter). highdesertranger
 

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