inexpensive rust repair?

**Vchat20** · 09-14-2005, 06:12 AM

very simple: anyone know of an inexpensive method to repair rust? specifically on the roof of a car if it helps any.

reason i ask is because our van has recently developed this nice rust spot on the roof right smack dab in the center. the paint has done chipped away and the bare grey metal underneath has started to rust away. since we dont want to have a waterfall in the back seat

and cant really afford to take it to a professional body shop, does anyone have an inexpensive "DIY" fix? ive always thought that the simple yet effective route was to simply sand the rust off and get back down to the clean metal, reprime and paint. but being as car illiterate as i am, im not so sure if this is a good solution. and considering the rust's location, i cant take chances.

and for those who cant read, im NOT looking for "take it to a body shop".

**Enforcer** · 09-14-2005, 06:24 AM

Convert van to a convertible.

**KB5WID** · 09-14-2005, 09:20 AM

http://www.therustdoctor.com/

**kevinlekiller** · 09-14-2005, 11:54 AM

This is if you want to repaint the roof, this is how I do it, its cheap because I own the stuff already, I dont know how much these things can cost you. I dont go much into detail, I think you can figure some stuff yourself

.
You need to grind, sand blast, than you sand down with a air sander (220) taking off the paint till your at the primer (or the paint will chip when afterwards) wash with some kind of acid (dont remember the name ; ask local car paint shop ; its greenish blue) , prime as soon as your done. If you cant prime as soon as your done Its going to start to rust after a few hours, and places were you grinded will be a ***** , because grinding makes little potholes when your a newbie(no offense) and than you need to resandblast. The rust is easy to come off (except for grindings) , you just pass back with the air sander, and clean with the acid.

If you see spots that the rust is eating through the roof (holes) grind it down , and get some fiberglass. Than you grind down the fiberglass grind that too , and apply metal filler. Than you sand the metal filler with the air sander (wear a mask) or sandpaper.

You can use sandpaper and a block instead of a airsander, but your hands will cry after a while; lol.

A grinder is a must , I recomend a air one, electrics are cheap as ****(cant control speed; are freakin heavy). Get a electric if you dont have a compressor.

**tj!2k4** · 09-14-2005, 12:11 PM

http://www.rustbullet.com

**BassBinDevil** · 09-14-2005, 07:12 PM

Sand(blast) or wirebrush off the surface rust, then apply Naval Jelly or the equivalent (it'll contain phosphoric acid)(Ospho or Metal-prep are similar things in more liquid form). Brush with someone else's toothbrush to work it into the pits and keep fresh acid in contact with the rust; let it sit for a while to work. Wash off the residue, wipe with thinners or alcohol or other solvents of choice. Fill the pits with marine grade Bondo (it's supposed to be more waterproof than regular stuff), or whatever epoxy glue you have lying around. Sand flat, prime, sand some more, and then paint.

**HHdesign** · 09-14-2005, 10:29 PM

Originally Posted by kevinlekiller

This is if you want to repaint the roof, this is how I do it, its cheap because I own the stuff already, I dont know how much these things can cost you. I dont go much into detail, I think you can figure some stuff yourself

.
You need to grind, sand blast, than you sand down with a air sander (220) taking off the paint till your at the primer (or the paint will chip when afterwards) wash with some kind of acid (dont remember the name ; ask local car paint shop ; its greenish blue) , prime as soon as your done. If you cant prime as soon as your done Its going to start to rust after a few hours, and places were you grinded will be a ***** , because grinding makes little potholes when your a newbie(no offense) and than you need to resandblast. The rust is easy to come off (except for grindings) , you just pass back with the air sander, and clean with the acid.

If you see spots that the rust is eating through the roof (holes) grind it down , and get some fiberglass. Than you grind down the fiberglass grind that too , and apply metal filler. Than you sand the metal filler with the air sander (wear a mask) or sandpaper.

You can use sandpaper and a block instead of a airsander, but your hands will cry after a while; lol.

A grinder is a must , I recomend a air one, electrics are cheap as ****(cant control speed; are freakin heavy). Get a electric if you dont have a compressor.

Hit it on the head. I have 3 hours of auto body class each day, and today I fixed a softball sized rust hole in the door of a retro mustang. We use air powered everything. Grind it down, get all the rust. In my case I'm going to have to do some welding to fix the giant hole now, but you should be ok with glassing it. Get a Dual Action sander, You'll find its extremly useful, even outside the shop.

**turbocad6** · 09-14-2005, 10:42 PM

if your just looking to prevent it from getting worse & aren't to concerned about the repainting of the roof, I would suggest you wirebrush or sand it a little, then coat the spot with por-15...when that dries in a day or so just touch up the spot..... DONE, no grinding or glassing, por-15 is awsome stuff for rust stoppage.... it is available in small quantity.... there based in NJ.... I use it in my bodyshop & I've used many other so called rust stoppers, this is the best...just don't get it on your hands or it'll be there for a few weeks

**kevinlekiller** · 09-14-2005, 11:27 PM

Originally Posted by HHdesign

Hit it on the head. I have 3 hours of auto body class each day, and today I fixed a softball sized rust hole in the door of a retro mustang. We use air powered everything. Grind it down, get all the rust. In my case I'm going to have to do some welding to fix the giant hole now, but you should be ok with glassing it. Get a Dual Action sander, You'll find its extremly useful, even outside the shop.

I never use electric , air is the way to go , with electric theres just 1 speed setting.