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Hi All, I have just acquired a 1956 Merc M350 cab & chassis and looking for some advise on the rust. I cannot start this restoration till later this year or next spring so just going to put in dry storage. Is there a solution to stop the rusting?
I removed the w/s and back window due to bullet holes and found some rusting on the seal lips, as well as the hood front. Is the new rust away sprays the way to go, or wire wheel and rust primer?
Cab is in very good shape, 7-8 out of 10, with only minimal rust and body damage. Pics attached.
I'm not the guy to help you with rust but let me say welcome to FTE the best Ford truck forum on the World wide Web! We have guys that can do magic with rusted steel. One guy, John, can and will help you. And he is currently working on a 56 M 350.
It does look like the bullet holes allowed moisture to run into the windshield and rear window seams.. And there may have been a mouse nest above the windshield. Mouse urine is very corrosive.
It looks like you have all the MERCURY letters. Don't lose them.
I don’t think the rust would get any worse in the next few months, especially if indoors. Unless the rust is completely removed, covering it up isnt going to accomplish much, my .05 (.02 adjusted for this “Golden Age”)
Last edited by 1952henry; May 22, 2026 at 04:45 PM.
I agree, if you're storing in dry storage it isn't going to get much worse, if at all. If you a concerned buy a couple of cans of Rustoleum rusty metal primer and spray it on. You have to get it all off when you start doing rust repair but either way you're still going to have to get down to solid rust free metal.
Looking at those pictures, as long as it's going to be stored inside, I wouldn't touch any of it until you got ready to do something with it. Remember, it took 70 years to get this bad, out in the worst kinds of weather and conditions, trapping dirt and moisture. In 6 to 12 months it will be no different. And even if it did deteriorate 1% more, it's still the same work to fix it then as now. Unless you clean all the rust to bare metal, with acids or sandblasting, anything you put over it may actually make it worse by trapping in the oxides vs. letting them breathe and remain benign. If you've ever seen paint or filler bubbling from rust underneath, you'll know what I mean.
As said it shouldn't get any worse in dry storage. But as Abe brought up mouse urine and nests make things worse. Be sure to get them out ( wear a mask) before you put it away. They like the brim over the windshield and the headliiner. Also the door hinge pockets in the doors and posts. Dean
As said it shouldn't get any worse in dry storage. But as Abe brought up mouse urine and nests make things worse. Be sure to get them out ( wear a mask) before you put it away. They like the brim over the windshield and the headliiner. Also the door hinge pockets in the doors and posts. Dean
Wear a mask for sure. We all are now aware of hantavirus which one gets from inhaling dried mouse and rat feces.
I once bought a pair of 61-66 doors. One was so much heavier than the other. When I took the door inspection plate or access panel, the bottom of the door was filled with a wet soggy nest up to the opening. What a mess.
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