Quick little rust fix - is this a good idea?

[blowedupmotor87]

I need some advice please!
Here's the deal:
I have an 87 GMC Jimmy that we are in the process of turning into a trail rig (I might actually post up a build thread). It's very clean body and chassis wise but has some rust that I would rather not have get any worse! I know the right way to fix it would be to take the body off the frame sand blast everything and completely repaint it BUT, I also know that is realistically not going to happen!

So, it has surface rust underneath of the body and on the frame. Right now the body and frame are pretty dang well clean so, I figured if I am going to paint them with something, I might as well do it now before they get bad. My question is, what is good enough here? Would it be good enough to pressure wash the underside, wire brush it all, clean of loose scale, hit it with spray bomb rust converter (like Rustoleum rust converter-anybody know if it works well?) and them spray bomb some gloss Rustoleum over the top of it? I know I wouldn't be able to do too great a job with the body on the frame but, do y'all think it would do enough good to be worth the effort?

Okay, another question as well, what about all the brake and fuel lines that run inside the frame, yeah, it'd be nice to remove them all, spray behind them, and replace them with new but, I really don't have the time to be tearing into all that! Would there be any harm in lightly spraybombing rustconverting primer and paint over them?

Is this Rustoleum rust converter and gloss paint underbody/frame spray down a good idea or just a futile attempt? Would I be better off just doing nothing until I have time (who knows when) to strip the frame down completely and do it right?

Basically, it's just that the truck is pretty dang clean right now but has a few bad spots, and I don't want it to get worse!

Sorry for the long post y'all! Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[hammermachine]

Rust

You seem to have the right idea, it's rust you have to do something. I've seen many people try to solve the problem with dozens of different ways and tools. I think it's up to just how much time and $$ do you want to invest in your truck. I would love to do a off frame resto, but I don't have a place, time, resources or $$ to do it. So power washing, media blasting , wire brushing and repainting is my formula for combating the rust. Also add, welding and replacing. Good luck and post some pics.



My build: http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=208588

 

[blowedupmotor87]

Thanks for the response! I saw your thread, your doing some good work! I think I may take an approach similar to yours, getting under there and wire wheeling, a lot! I wish I could take the body off the frame and do a full resto but, that's just not an option.

 

[Pookster]

if you see no signs of rust, I wouldnt bother media blasting down. That means the base paint has some darn good ahesion. I'd give it a thorough scrubbing, with some degreaser though, and then just let it dry, scuff a little, and paint it with something durable.

 

[GotBoykins]

Clean it the best you can, wipe it down with acetone/thinner and use por15 or rust bullet. Just follow the directions on the product that you select. Also eastwood makes some good rust repair stuff.

 

[original balzer]

Knock all the scale off with a wire wheel or something you dont have to take all the rust off just anything that can come loose later or trap rust under it. then use "naval jelly" on it after that cures you can use whatever product you prefer rust bullet por 15 ect.

I stay away from the rattle can rust converters just because I know naval jelly works. I think por 15 and rust bullet are supposed to convert the rust as well, but I have always used naval jelly with sucess.

 

[blowedupmotor87]

if you see no signs of rust, I wouldnt bother media blasting down. That means the base paint has some darn good ahesion. I'd give it a thorough scrubbing, with some degreaser though, and then just let it dry, scuff a little, and paint it with something durable.

Well, I definitely have rust, a good bit of it, just all little surface spots. I was just saying that there was very little in the way of areas that had rusted all the way through to leave a hole in the metal. (Only one spot like that that I can think of and it's in an area that won't effect anything.)

Clean it the best you can, wipe it down with acetone/thinner and use por15 or rust bullet. Just follow the directions on the product that you select. Also eastwood makes some good rust repair stuff.

Hmm, good call on the wiping down with acetone or thinner after the wirewheeling/brushing. I hadn't thought about that, thanks!

Knock all the scale off with a wire wheel or something you dont have to take all the rust off just anything that can come loose later or trap rust under it. then use "naval jelly" on it after that cures you can use whatever product you prefer rust bullet por 15 ect.

I stay away from the rattle can rust converters just because I know naval jelly works. I think por 15 and rust bullet are supposed to convert the rust as well, but I have always used naval jelly with sucess.

Hmm, my understanding on the POR 15 and Rust bullet is they are sealing products not actual rust converting products, is that correct? As to Naval Jelly, I've not heard of using that, how's that work?

Thanks everybody! Keep it coming!

 

[blowedupmotor87]

Rusty inner fender that's getting replaced:

That inner fender made this problem (partially sprayed with rust converter):

Rusty frame and lines:

Looking down that framerail:

Driver's front floorboard body mount (they all are about this same condition):

IDK what part of the body this is called ( bump up for the rear floor, 2 shots):

Passenger tail:

Another driver's floorboard body mount shot:

Inside of framerail at same location:

I hope these pics work, I've tried everything I can think of! Sorry for the inconvenience y'all! Edit: big thanks to Gotlabs for teaching me how to properly post pics!

Any help on dealing with this rust and keeping it from getting worse would be greatly appreciated, thank you everybody!

 

[blowedupmotor87]

Dang it, they don't work! I'm sorry y'all, I've tried! They show in edit mode fine but, once it's posted, it's just links, is there something I'm doing wrong?

 

[GotBoykins]

Use the "direct link" line on the PB.

 

[hammermachine]

Options

I don't think the rust you have is that bad, it's there and it would get worst untreated, but not that bad. I would wire brush off the worst, and then apply either a rust reformer or rust bullet or POR15. Then I would use some kind of paint as a top coat. It all comes down to just how much time and $$ you want to spend. POR15 and Rust Bullet are expensive, but so is a rusted out truck.

 

[Blue85]

Personally, I would not use a wire brush as the last step. They tend to gloss over the rust and make it look shiny, like it was good steel. You need to get as much rust out as possible and it has formed pits. A flapwheel does a better job of digging it out.

 

[Greg72]

If you want to do a "quick and dirty" job on it, why not just get a small bugsprayer tank and some hydraulic fluid? Set up the sprayer nozzle for a fine mist, and then just crawl around and soak all those areas with the oil to saturate them.... a quick drive down a dusty road will help stick the oil in place and you can occasionally get back under there for touch ups as needed. The nice thing about the oil is that it will seep behind things like the fuel and brake lines where spray bombs won't reach....and ultimately it's just oil, so when you are finally ready to REALLY take it all the way down for the complete restoration, all you need to do is steam clean it to remove the oils.

For what you want to spend (dollars and time) it might be the most reasonable approach. Once you start getting into wire strippers and spray paints, you're awfully close to that "Might As Well..." phrase that suddenly has every nut and bolt removed and the entire truck torn apart!

 

[blowedupmotor87]

If you want to do a "quick and dirty" job on it, why not just get a small bugsprayer tank and some hydraulic fluid? Set up the sprayer nozzle for a fine mist, and then just crawl around and soak all those areas with the oil to saturate them.... a quick drive down a dusty road will help stick the oil in place and you can occasionally get back under there for touch ups as needed. The nice thing about the oil is that it will seep behind things like the fuel and brake lines where spray bombs won't reach....and ultimately it's just oil, so when you are finally ready to REALLY take it all the way down for the complete restoration, all you need to do is steam clean it to remove the oils.

For what you want to spend (dollars and time) it might be the most reasonable approach. Once you start getting into wire strippers and spray paints, you're awfully close to that "Might As Well..." phrase that suddenly has every nut and bolt removed and the entire truck torn apart!

That's what I'd like to do- a full frame off! But, that's not realistic! Hmm, IDK, that oil idea could be a way to go.

More input please! Thanks y'all!

 

[blowedupmotor87]

I don't think the rust you have is that bad, it's there and it would get worst untreated, but not that bad. I would wire brush off the worst, and then apply either a rust reformer or rust bullet or POR15. Then I would use some kind of paint as a top coat. It all comes down to just how much time and $$ you want to spend. POR15 and Rust Bullet are expensive, but so is a rusted out truck.

Very true! I do not want to have a rust bucket!

Personally, I would not use a wire brush as the last step. They tend to gloss over the rust and make it look shiny, like it was good steel. You need to get as much rust out as possible and it has formed pits. A flapwheel does a better job of digging it out.

Hmm, good point, I hadn't thought about that but, you are right. Thanks!

 

[blowedupmotor87]

TTT, any more ideas?


Thanks!

 

[blowedupmotor87]

Any more opinions/experiences on this as to which way to go?

Thanks!