Rust - is it bad?
01-06-2015, 08:33 AM
#1
Old Member
Thread Starter
Rust - is it bad?
Unfortunately, I didn't take an original pic. So I'm gathering random pics from the web to better highlight my question.
I purchased an old used car. I failed to check the spare tire area. It looks like water got in and sat in the spare tire tub for a long time. There is heavy rust in the tub area.
It almost looks like this. Not as bad. But I can "peel" a few of the flakes" off.
My made a "bad" impulse decision to take care of it myself. So I painted over it without any treatment. It wasn't a surface rush where I can sand off. Because I saw flakes, I was too scare to sand, pick at it, or do anything to make it worst.
I watch a lot of TV shows on restoration. Even with what appears to be the best condition cars, it was a nightmare to remove all the rust. They stripped it down, acid baths, media blast, etc, etc. I guess that's how you do it right. I'm sure those restorations are $80,000.
My car is a $4K car. It is what it is. No other rust on the this car and otherwise "perfect."
Questions.
1. Do rust grow like cancer?
2. I can't do the work myself. I would hate to spend lots $$ on it. The right way is to cut all of the metal out, and weld in a new tub, or a fab some new sheet metal. It's not the $$$. More like too much $$$ for what the car is worth.
3. How long do you think I have before it completely bust through? Or will it ever? There are no rust visible from the bottom of the car, outside of the tub. Only rust from inside the tub. It's currently holding a spare tire fine.
TIA
Looks more like this overall.
I purchased an old used car. I failed to check the spare tire area. It looks like water got in and sat in the spare tire tub for a long time. There is heavy rust in the tub area.
It almost looks like this. Not as bad. But I can "peel" a few of the flakes" off.
My made a "bad" impulse decision to take care of it myself. So I painted over it without any treatment. It wasn't a surface rush where I can sand off. Because I saw flakes, I was too scare to sand, pick at it, or do anything to make it worst.
I watch a lot of TV shows on restoration. Even with what appears to be the best condition cars, it was a nightmare to remove all the rust. They stripped it down, acid baths, media blast, etc, etc. I guess that's how you do it right. I'm sure those restorations are $80,000.
My car is a $4K car. It is what it is. No other rust on the this car and otherwise "perfect."
Questions.
1. Do rust grow like cancer?
2. I can't do the work myself. I would hate to spend lots $$ on it. The right way is to cut all of the metal out, and weld in a new tub, or a fab some new sheet metal. It's not the $$$. More like too much $$$ for what the car is worth.
3. How long do you think I have before it completely bust through? Or will it ever? There are no rust visible from the bottom of the car, outside of the tub. Only rust from inside the tub. It's currently holding a spare tire fine.
TIA
Looks more like this overall.
01-06-2015, 12:00 PM
#2
Re: Rust - is it bad?
wire wheel, sand with sander, treat with rust inhibitor and plasti dip it matte black or whatever color you want. Or if you dont want to spend to much time just dip it the way it is. plasti dip prevents rust from spreading. Going thru the same process with my DA. Or you can junk the car and start over with the same chassis or another.
01-06-2015, 02:38 PM
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Re: Rust - is it bad?
1. Do rust grow like cancer?
-Rust does grows like a cancer if left untreated, and will get worse.
2. I can't do the work myself. I would hate to spend lots $$ on it. The right way is to cut all of the metal out, and weld in a new tub, or a fab some new sheet metal. It's not the $$$. More like too much $$$ for what the car is worth.
-If you're willing, you CAN do the work yourself. With a metal prep and a burgandy scotchbrite scrub away a lot of that rust. Even if that is out of your budget you can use a household white Vinegar (literally $3-$10/gal and you dont need brand name just get vinegar) and water and scrub away the rust 4 parts water 1 part vinegar. the chemicals kills the rust and the scrubbing removes all the surface rust that has already been affected, leaving you with a clean surface to protect with a top coat of epoxy primer This method leaves all the rust left over that is a cancer, inert. Or you can get a rust converter which you just spray the rust with and it converts it into a sandable or paintable surface. those two options are pretty closely the same thing, just different methods of attack.
3. How long do you think I have before it completely bust through? Or will it ever? There are no rust visible from the bottom of the car, outside of the tub. Only rust from inside the tub. It's currently holding a spare tire fine.
- as far as time goes, it depends on the climate you live in, if the leaks continue to collect into puddles and sit. If its like the first picture which u mentioned isnt an original pic its probably bad, especially if its chipping but that could just be the paint and the rust could just be surface rust. But even if u picked at it, you're not making it any worse. its already deteriorating at that point. but the second picture actually looks completely different, and just looks like surface rust you can sand/grind and/or treat and protect.
In my experience, plasti-dip does not protect metal. its just a rubberized spray on/painted on top coat. i wouldnt rely on that protecting my car.
If the metal is flimsy and you know its going to create holes if you sanded/grinded the rust away or if there already are holes, then you're already at the point where you'll need patches welded in, or replacement panels. but if its just surface rust, then you can definitely take one of the options and/or methods ive described in my response. Por15 has great products and great prices for DIY, as well as eastwood, as well as many other companies. The most expensive option honestly is taking it to a shop to have someone else do it. It would ensure its done right, but if you had a clue, or just did your own research and used common sense, its really not hard. Especially considering this is a $4000 car and not a $15-$20thousand + car youre dealing with, i'd DIY
-Rust does grows like a cancer if left untreated, and will get worse.
2. I can't do the work myself. I would hate to spend lots $$ on it. The right way is to cut all of the metal out, and weld in a new tub, or a fab some new sheet metal. It's not the $$$. More like too much $$$ for what the car is worth.
-If you're willing, you CAN do the work yourself. With a metal prep and a burgandy scotchbrite scrub away a lot of that rust. Even if that is out of your budget you can use a household white Vinegar (literally $3-$10/gal and you dont need brand name just get vinegar) and water and scrub away the rust 4 parts water 1 part vinegar. the chemicals kills the rust and the scrubbing removes all the surface rust that has already been affected, leaving you with a clean surface to protect with a top coat of epoxy primer This method leaves all the rust left over that is a cancer, inert. Or you can get a rust converter which you just spray the rust with and it converts it into a sandable or paintable surface. those two options are pretty closely the same thing, just different methods of attack.
3. How long do you think I have before it completely bust through? Or will it ever? There are no rust visible from the bottom of the car, outside of the tub. Only rust from inside the tub. It's currently holding a spare tire fine.
- as far as time goes, it depends on the climate you live in, if the leaks continue to collect into puddles and sit. If its like the first picture which u mentioned isnt an original pic its probably bad, especially if its chipping but that could just be the paint and the rust could just be surface rust. But even if u picked at it, you're not making it any worse. its already deteriorating at that point. but the second picture actually looks completely different, and just looks like surface rust you can sand/grind and/or treat and protect.
In my experience, plasti-dip does not protect metal. its just a rubberized spray on/painted on top coat. i wouldnt rely on that protecting my car.
If the metal is flimsy and you know its going to create holes if you sanded/grinded the rust away or if there already are holes, then you're already at the point where you'll need patches welded in, or replacement panels. but if its just surface rust, then you can definitely take one of the options and/or methods ive described in my response. Por15 has great products and great prices for DIY, as well as eastwood, as well as many other companies. The most expensive option honestly is taking it to a shop to have someone else do it. It would ensure its done right, but if you had a clue, or just did your own research and used common sense, its really not hard. Especially considering this is a $4000 car and not a $15-$20thousand + car youre dealing with, i'd DIY
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