Spot Rust Repairs

Joe in NY

Promoted Users
I'm not sure what the best approach is in dealing with spots of surface rust. I've got everything from spots the size of a period up to quarters and larger. I'm hesitant to use a rust converter. How do you guys deal with this?
 

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Option 2 would be a rotary wire brush attachment in grinder or drill, about medium stiffness. Hit each spot from different directions if needed.
 
It seems no matter what I do I'm going to end up with at least some rust in the bottom of the pits. Is it ok to leave that and epoxy over it?
 
I would be very hesitant using a sand blaster if you have never done so before. Rust converter would be a big no-no as well. Safest way would be to use something like this: https://www.empireabrasives.com/4-1-2-easy-strip-paint-removal-disc/

That would take 99% of the rust off. Any that remains in some of the pits can be either removed with a stiff wire brush in a drill, or you could use something like Ospho. Be sure to neutralize the Ospho as it will adversely affect adhesion of epoxy to the metal if you don't. Read some of these posts about that. http://www.spiuserforum.com/index.php?search/83389/&q=neutralize+ospho&t=post&o=date
But most of the pit rust can be removed with a good quality stiff wire wheel brush in your drill.
 
I totally agree with Chris on this one. I've stripped my entire car with those things and they are awesome, even on rather stubborn rust spots. It makes an absolute mess, but I'd rather that then using a chemical stripper.

And, like he also said, the wire wheel in my drill (or a wire "rope" wheel in my angle grinder) took care of whatever the stripping disk didn't.

Chris
 
I used a smaller version of those abrasive discs on an air die grinder. They do work really well. The smaller size is perfect for cleaning up door jambs with all the nooks and crannies. It worked well on the rust spots. Some were deeper than I thought and I couldn't get it all out without risking making a hole. So, I did finish up with Ospho and washed and rinsed it very thoroughly. For what it's worth, Ospho is a rust converter.
 
I used a smaller version of those abrasive discs on an air die grinder. They do work really well. The smaller size is perfect for cleaning up door jambs with all the nooks and crannies. It worked well on the rust spots. Some were deeper than I thought and I couldn't get it all out without risking making a hole. So, I did finish up with Ospho and washed and rinsed it very thoroughly. For what it's worth, Ospho is a rust converter.

If it is used as directed yes it would be a converter but that would be the wrong thing to do if you want to use epoxy on your bare metal. Only use it wet and rinse it while it is still wet. Used that way it is not a converter more of a neutralizer or dissolver. If you let it dry then apply epoxy the epoxy will not adhere.
 
Just to add, a clean wire brush. The rust you take will just get smeared if it sits in a tool box til the next time you use it, and if you were using it to clean gaskets from an engine, something is bound to stay behind..
 
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