Rust remedy

[Bjorn]

My girlfriend has recently bought a '97 VW Polo.

Seem to have got a bit of a bargain but there are a few rust issues on the bodywork. Ive got a reasonable idea on how to tackle the rust but am looking for a few pointers.

The process i was going to go through was:

- Grind back any surface/ flaking rusted areas, or would it be easier/ safer to sand?

- Apply a treatment which forms a hardened compound where the rust was. Are there any recommendations for a particular type?

- Fill the area

- Wet/Dry sand smooth

-Prime

-Paint

Also the alloys are a bit rusted, would following one of the DIY threads on here or using the above method be appropriate?

Any help/ pointers much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Rich]

Any repair like the above will come back , only real fix is to chop the affected area out.

 

[Bjorn]

Really!

Thought the treatment which converts the residual rust to a hardened compound would be an effective remedy.

Do you know the stuff im on about Rich?

Im not skilled enough, or have the requisite tools to start cutting and welding. Plus its only got to last a year or so.

 

[Rich]

These rust remedies only do the outer surface rust not the whole of it, which is why it always comes back through. In the year you have it it may look ok, how quickly it comes back tough is one of those how long is a piece of string.

 

[Bjorn]

^ Cheers mate. I'll give it a bash anyway, hopefully the repair holds out.

 

[RichRSi]

From years of owning old cars I can honestly say, Rich is right, you can slow the progress of most rust but not irradiate it with treatment unless the effected area is what is loosely referred to as surface rust.

I see this a lot with old cars being advertised as having 'surface rust' though, if the rust wont come off with a moderate sanding it is penetrated rot.
What you have to think is where has it penetrated from to find it's way out? the back of the panel or the surface of the panel; ie cut out + replace for rot coming through a panel, treat for mild surface corrosion.

If it's just a small aesthetic repair, if it's done well, the repair you suggest should last at least year before showing up again. Kurust is a reasonable off the shelf product.

 

[Bjorn]

If it's just a small aesthetic repair, if it's done well, the repair you suggest should last at least year before showing up again. Kurust is a reasonable off the shelf product.

Seems to be just surface, but guess i'll only know once i get the grinder on it. Thanks for the product recommendation, i'll buy some and get to work!