Some of you may recall my prior questions about what to do with my frame on my 69. It has surface rust all over it, but does not appear to be rotten anywhere. It will be several years at best before I can consider a frame off resto which seems to be the proper way to handle the problem. For now though, a guy told me about rust converter which turns rust into some kind of hard coating and stops rust. Does anyone have any experience with this stuff? It sounds like a good way to prevent any significant deterioration until a frame off can be done. I realize the stuff will have to be sand blasted off. Comments and experiences appreciated.
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Re: Rust converter
Bob, like your car, I had some mild surface rust on the frame and attaching parts when the rear third of the car was restored this past winter. Having tried many different rust restorers over the years, I have found that NAPA-Permatex "Extend" works best for me. Just scrap off (steel wool or wire brush etc.)and completely degrease the areas, to clean off most of the junk you can do reasonably by hand. I then fan a blow torch over the area a couple times to dry out the pores in the metal and spray it on. It DOES turn the metal black. When dry, just sand with 320 grit sandpaper and your ready for primer. Good Luck. Patrick -
Do you really need to do anything?
Why do you say it is a 'problem'? Almost every Corvette which hasn't been 'restored' or 'redone' has surface rust on the frame. That's not going to hurt anything unless it's getting worse for some reason. If you drive the car, you can probably just let it go.
If you really want to make it quite presentable underneath, though, my procedure is to jack (lift is better) the car to where it is stable and you can work underneath. Put on your raingear and glasses and powerwash the frame and underside of the car from underneath. Then buy one of every size and style and different handle of wire brush you can find. Wire brush every area you can reach and with a good assortment of brush and handle types, you should be able to pretty much get it all (wearing safety glasses and dust mask). Then slide thin cards or sheetmetal placards between the frame and body where you can, tape off and mask off everything you can and basically treat the frame from here on as if you had sandblasted it and were doing your ground up.
If you feel like tackling a little more work, pulling the rear end, spring(s) and driveshaft isn't necessary but it gives a lot more working room and you can work them out separately and more easily on the ground. If you can coordinate doing a new clutch, etc., so much the better for access and you might as well do a major service, too, while you're at it.
It's about the farthest thing from a fun job there is but, as with all of life, it is a function of effort and materials. Use the right stuff and put forth the appropriate effort and the results will be so good you may decide to skip the 'frame-off'. Cut corners and use inferior materials and it'll show. As the saying goes, "You pay peanuts, you get monkeys."
JPComment
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Re: Rust converter
Bob, I have used EXTEND which is good stuff also. Last time I went to buy some sold at Home Depot they said the name brand they carried now was Naval Jelly Brand Rust Neutralizer in clear coat aerosol 10 oz.cans,PN.81847. I've been using for years. Works great as I live surounded by salt water and need all the protection I can get. GRR#33570Comment
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Re: Rust converter
Hi Patrick:
I'm glad this worked well for you but personally I wouldn't use a blow torch anywhere near a fiberglass body unless I were a seasoned professional with a lot of experience. I've been flame cutting material for years and it still makes me nervous, not for the faint of heart.
jerryComment
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Re: Rust converter
Most of these are a form of phosphoric acid and turn the rust from iron oxide to phosphoric oxide. It is black and tightly adheared when converted. I have used a brand called OSPHO that Ekler's use to sell as well as Sherwin Williams stores. All are real thin, need to have no oil on the metal and do not put on very thick. Do it fresh air, it stinks. Good luckComment
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