Tips for combatting rust?

[Dark_Rider2k3]

So I am about to start my war against rust. I'll take some pictures fo the rust as soon as I can, but the main thing is that I'm starting to get rust issues..

so my question is, what's the best way to combat rust? How do you all go about getting rid of rust?

Is it just a lot of sandpaper and primer? Or is it way more then that?

I'm a rust removal n00b, but I also know I don't have the $$$s to spend having a body shop remove it all for me.

So yeah what's your tips/tricks/suggestions?

[marcdh]

Also very interested as I may embark on this myself before long. I've tried before on my red car but it came back in the arches a year later. Is cutting it all off the only real option? I used POR15 for suspension components, and I've been impressed, but I'm not sure about using it on bodywork. I just can't believe a zinc rich primer will last that long. Just sanding back and using regular primer doesn't seem to be enough to me.

[Inodoro Pereyra]

It depends on the kind of rust you have.

If it's surface rust, yes, some sanding, and primer-sealer, will take care of it. You have to make absolutely sure there's no rust left before you apply the primer, or it will rust again beneath it. I normally use some rust converter between the sanding and the primer, for some extra insurance.

If the rust goes deeper though, you may need to use some filler (after a VERY THOROUGH sanding), or eventually you'll have to cut off the rusted part, and replace it with a patch panel, or just replace the whole part, depending on availability/price/ease of replacement, and extent of the damage.

[mitmaks]

You need to convert rust and then prime it with 2k epoxy primer. If there's rust on inside of the panel you have to treat it as well as moisture/air will be coming through from behind the panel.

[Dark_Rider2k3]

any tips/suggestions for what rust preventative solution I should use? I had this um.. pink gel.. idk it's name right now.. but it had a rust converter, and another bottle with rust preventative.

From the looks of it, I can just sand down the strut area, but the rocker panels in some areas i'm 90% sure I'll need to use filler (or possibly just replace that section)

I'm planning to knock out all this rust, and then undercoat the car.

[mitmaks]

You don't want to put filler/bondo over rust. Filler is porous and will hold moisture. POR15 is good rust converter, you have to follow directions and not sand all of the rust off but leave it on, por15 adheres to rust not smooth rust-free steel.

[Dark_Rider2k3]

holy crap haha.. been looking @ POR 15 on youtube.. it's actually quite badass.

Saw a whole car coated on the underbody with it.. a bit much but.. the stuff has a lot of great youtube videos that validate how awesome it is!

I just ordered a starter kit that will be enough to knock out the wheel well/rocker panels.

Just need a really good day for me to do this... one where I can get a day's work in..

[mitmaks]

You put POR15 ONLY over rust not bare steel, not painted steel, not any other surface BUT ONLY over rusted surface.
I see quite a few haters who DID NOT follow instructions and later on it peeled off and they complained that por15 is junk.
Its perfect for inside rockers, floor/trunk pans, any other surface that won't be exposed. I would not put it over rusted out panels, it will not fill in holes.

[wytbishop]

There is another product called Corroseal that I am told is extremely effective. They say you don't even have to scrape the flakey parts off it just converts all the rust to a paintable surface.

I haven't tried it myself but have heard very good things from people who I trust.

[mitmaks]

Ive used RUst Mort and POR15. Nothing will take off por15 once it dries, you have to grind it away

[Josh]

What about rubber undercoating. There are places that will sand blast and undercoat for a couple hundred bucks. It adds weight and I hate the stuff, but seems like a decent protect-ant against rust. you can get it in spray cans as well. Its what i did the underside of my 55 Ford in and my little brothers Wide Body CRX conversion on the wells and underside of the side skirts, It holds up well to rocks and heavily sanded roads.

[mitmaks]

sandblast underside, epoxy primer and then undercoat. It would work great.