Rusty steel frame... Best product to use?
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Joined: May 2008
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From: Indiana
Rusty steel frame... Best product to use?
Doing a frame up restore on a 1963 Airstream. I am ready to apply a rust encapsulator/preventative product to the frame, hitch, bumper etc...
ALL the trailer restore people swear by POR-15.
I want to ask truck/body work guys their opinion... cause I think you all probably have a bit more experience with these products.
What is the best most economically product to use on a rusty frame? Rust Bullet? Rustolium? Cromex (sp?) from Sherwin Williams.
Please offer your recommendations! I have never done a restore before and
don't want to cut corners but sure don't want to be sold a product based on slick advertising. Thank you for your input! Zerna.
ALL the trailer restore people swear by POR-15.
I want to ask truck/body work guys their opinion... cause I think you all probably have a bit more experience with these products.
What is the best most economically product to use on a rusty frame? Rust Bullet? Rustolium? Cromex (sp?) from Sherwin Williams.
Please offer your recommendations! I have never done a restore before and
don't want to cut corners but sure don't want to be sold a product based on slick advertising. Thank you for your input! Zerna.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2006
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The best product(s) to use is either POR-15 or Rustbullet. Anything else just wont encapsulate the rust properly. Dont use the rust encapsulator from Eastwood either...its junk (Found out from a friend of mine, saw him use it and it looked like water) No matter what, you will want to get rid of any loose or heavy scaled rust first. What I have done is take a hand wire brush and go over the whole thing, then apply the POR-15.
Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 62
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From: Midwest
Thanks for your input. Por-15 is going to run $400-500's. I have not priced Rustbullet yet. And, yes I have already started getting surface scale off etc... As I indicated in my original inquiry, I am wanting the opinion of people that have real experience with the rust products. Nearly 100% of the trailer restoration folks use Por-15, but in my opinion they are buying only because that is what everybody buys.... no real research involved. I live in a farming community and intend to see what the farmers have used successfully in recent years. Thank you! Z.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
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I used POR15, and wasn't that impressed with it. I personally have had good luck with wire wheeling everything, then putting on naval jelly, washing with dish soap, and then rustoleum rusty metal primer and the color of your choice. It will run you about $30 if my guess on the size is correct. You should be able to get away with 1 quart primer and 1 quart paint.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,866
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From: Rockford, Il
Zerna, just my .02 according to the manufacturers, Rust Bullet etches into the metal, you scratch it down to metal it wont allow the rust to get underneath it. it will rust in the scratch, but it wont spread. Por 15 makes no such claims, in fact they say you must fix the scratch, it will spread. the rust bullet lays down really nice, i didnt think much of the por15 finish. Dan
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 335
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From: Centennial, CO
I used Rust Bullet onmy 58 frame. Don't have it on the road yet, but like the way it went on and the way it looks. Not much difference in price of it & Por 15.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Concord, CA
This is what I do when I don't want rust tio ever come back. First, wire wheel as much off as possible. Second, use Eastwoods Rust Convertor on the metal. The new stuff I can brush on several times and allow to dry withut rinsing off with water. Third, I spray with a rust encapsulator paint as there are two on the market. Fouth, after scuff sanding I put my top coat twice. I constantly have to deal with rust on the Arcraft Carrier Museum, and rust is a mortal enemy of a ship, so I want it gone for good. The above works great for me and I would do it on a truck like the corner of my truck bed at the front to stop it until repairs are done.
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