? on rust removal

[Mark Pierce]

What's the best rust removal product out there for taking surface rust on my frame, suspension, etc? Doing a basic (non body-off) restoration on a '79 L-82 and have some bottomside rust I need to remove. Was just wondering which product has worked best for you. I'm leaning towards trying oxisolv, but just don't know.

Or am I going about this the wrong way?

[Rob A.]

Re: ? on rust removal

Blue Lightning (1-800-501-1562) is an excellent, liquid (can be sprayed on)rust remover. However, you must prime or otherwise protect the bare metal very quickly afterwards or it will surface rust.

[Clare Carpenter]

Re: ? on rust removal

I have had good results with Ospho, a phosphoric acid based product that will "kill" light surface rust and convert it to an inert hard black substance. On a clean surface it leaves behind a zinc phosphate coating that will protect the metal to a degree "naked". I've had sandblasted parts treated with this stuff sitting in the garage for years unpainted and still no sign of surface rust. A little goes a long way. After allowing for reaction time it can be rinsed with water and wiped or blow dryed. Clean any white residue with a very light scotch pad and some acetone. Follow it up a good quality primer and compatable frame paint and you should be good to go. I have been told Jayco Prime & Prep works in a similar fashion with great results too. Make sure to first clean the area very well of all grease and grime. Use scotch pads or similar abrading method to remove as much loose scale as possible before treating. Prep is everything. You may want to test on a piece of carbon steel stock that has a rusty surface similar to what you'll be dealing with on the chassis.

Ospho is made by the Skyco Co. in Cleveland. It is used heavily in salt water marine environments. True Value Hardware is one of their biggest customers but none of their hardware stores here in MI had it. In FL every True Value does. Depending on where you live you may or may not find it easily. You won't be able to get it shipped cheaply due to HAZMAT regs. Good luck.

Good luck.

[Lenn Nelsen]

Re: ? on rust removal

I've had great succes with Ospho, as well. I've followed up with POR-15 (http://www.por15.com)chassis paint on my Morgan (It wasn't all wood and aluminum)

[Lenn Nelsen]

Re: ? on rust removal

Oh, the Ospho can be also found at many Lowe's and Home Depot stores.