15 replies to this topic

[fourwheels]

HI,

I've got some rust on the inside of my car on the footwell, I was wondering what product / products i can use to seal up the rust and to stop it from spreading. Because it is on the interior and will eventually be covered by the carpet i'm not too worried about it being pretty,

Thank you.

[Neildanks]

you will only slow the process not stop it .

[Jonesey]

There are a number of Rust Removers on the market including;
Rust in Peace
Loctite Rust Remedy
Hammerite Kurust.
I have no idea how effective these are but its worth a try.

[BusheyTrader]

A photo helps diagnosis. Is it light surface rust or is it coming up through a seam or from underneath? It's a Mini so it's odds on to be the latter and as per previous response you'll only slow it down using a product.

[AVV IT]

First get under the car and check that it's not rotting through from underneath. If it is just superficial corrosion from a water leak or damp carpets though, then remove as much of it as possible with a wire brush (or preferably an angle grinder) before using any sort of treatment product. Only then should you use one of the chemical rust converters (jenolite/Kurust etc) to treat any remaining corrosion. Once treated spray with etch primer, then coat with a decent zinc based primer, before covering with a suitable top coat. I tend to use "Smoothrite" as a top coat on places that won't be seen, as it comes in a variety of colours, is relatively cheap, has anti corrosion properties and is readily available from DIY/hardware stores. Just be aware that Smoothrite can react with standard autopaints applied over the top of it, so it could give you a problem later on if you were to respray the interior of the car.

Edited by AVV IT, 16 November 2011 - 05:02 PM.

[087dave]

Sorry but is nt etch primer zinc based???

[Neildanks]

Avvit is spot on thats the only action you can take and hope for the best then.

[AVV IT]

Sorry but is nt etch primer zinc based???

Quite possibly, but the only stuff I've ever used comes in aerosol form and therefore only provides a thin coat. I would always therefore use a thick brush on zinc rich primer over the top if possible and only rely on the etch pirmier for it's etching into the metal properties.

[087dave]

so are you saying that the etch primer by itself is nt good ,you need to put something over it??

[AVV IT]

so are you saying that the etch primer by itself is nt good ,you need to put something over it??

Yes (or at least that's my opinion of the stuff I've used any way)

[fourwheels]

great, thanks .. it was caused by leaking water, i've stopped the leak so a wire brush and then some treatment should stave it off a while longer. cheers

[sayli]

I think you should go with rust removal solution or gel for your mini there are number of products available in market. I know few are namely Rust Bullet, Eastwood and Dinitrol products

[sonikk4]

Like AVVIT has already stated, you need to find out why the rust started in the first place before proceeding. Once you have cured the cause then see how bad the rust actually is.

If its badly pitted then i would recommend replacement of that section otherwise no matter what you use over time you will end up doing something to it.

Once you are happy with the area if its bare metal then a light coating of etch primer should be used first. This will aid adhesion of the next layers of paint.
As its an etch product, its slightly acidic that will allow it to grip to the bare metal then as you apply successive layers of other paints primers etc they will then stay attached shall we say. I don't think its Zinc based so it will need other layers of primer paint etc to fully seal the surface. Use zinc primer on top of etch but like i found out each layer of paint does require the right time between coats for the solvents in them to evaporate correctly. If you do not do this then you will get paint reaction. (been there done that)

[087dave]

If you left a panel just sprayed in etch would rust attack it after a while??

[sonikk4]

To be honest i'm not sure if etch primer is hydroscopic or not. If i was you i would make sure you covered it with something to protect it