Treating rust chips and spots

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PhilipW1039
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Treating rust chips and spots

Post by PhilipW1039 »

With no experience I want to treat a handful of rust chips around the Moggy this summer. Just a few on the door edges, sill edges etc and if all goes well, the area around the top of the headlamps.

Anyway, I want a perfect finish. My plan is to wire brush or sand (I’ll try both), then red oxide primer, then high build primer, then top coat. Finish with 1200 paper. I don’t want to see the repair, at least that’s what I’m aiming for.

Anyone got any tips or suggestions please?
Philip

Just gradually working things out...
islecastle
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Re: Treating rust chips and spots

Post by islecastle »

Without painting a complete panel it will be difficult to achieve a "perfect finish". And then matching the newly painted panel to the rest of the car will be difficult.
I think you are trying to achieve what many on here have been unsuccessfully trying to do for years.
Good luck, and let us know if you find a solution.
1973 Ford Cortina Mk3
1967 Morris Minor 1098 Convertible
1978 MGB GT
2000 Mercedese Benz SLK 230K
PhilipW1039
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Re: Treating rust chips and spots

Post by PhilipW1039 »

Well, thanks for the reply and yes, perhaps I am aiming a bit high. Maybe I should have added a step; "wait 5 years for it all to look similar" :)

I'll see how I get on and post any useful steps, while trying not to duplicate previous posts.
Philip

Just gradually working things out...
dp
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Re: Treating rust chips and spots

Post by dp »

I suppose a compromise might be to look for the first crease and mask at that point so that any difference in shade looks natural. Eg bottom of the door where it changes from flat to curving in. Maybe at a pinch, the rear door edge from curve to flat though difficult to get perfect
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PhilipW1039
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Re: Treating rust chips and spots

Post by PhilipW1039 »

Thank you. I was reflecting on a drive this evening that having a classic car is not about it all being perfect, so for now I think I’ll just do my best and off and when it bothers me enough, or I have more touch ups than paintwork, I’ll get a full respray. Quoted £4k which, even without a guarantee, from a reputable classics specialist is pretty good going I think.

Cheers for all the input.
Philip

Just gradually working things out...
kevin s
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Re: Treating rust chips and spots

Post by kevin s »

Epoxy primer is a better option for the primer nowadays, it sticks really well and has the advantage of being waterproof. (it can be brushed on and flatted back smooth)

If you have any rust holes (thinking one at the top of the wings are likely to become holes) file the edges back to sound metal before filling in and use the fibrous resin based stuff to fill the hole first, it doesn't soak up moisture like normal chalk based filler, then if you can paint or cavity wax the back of the repair as well.

For the paint avoid a straight edges and feather the paint over an area at least 6 inches beyond where it has been primed, put plenty of thin coats on and then leave it for a at least a week to harden before flatting back you can start with 800 then work up to 2000 grit wet paper, finish with G3 or similar ideally using a mop.

as an example this is repair I did on my Lotus using epoxy primer followed by cellulose paint.
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