last summer was the first year my car was on the road, it was a really wet year and i drove in the rain several times. anywhere that the water was able to lay on or got between such as leaf springs, small holes or pinch welds there is iron/rust spots. i would like to try cleaning this off but can't seem to find anything that really works. i tried varsol, gas and cleaner/polish. i would like to use CLR but i'm sure that would eat paint. anyone have any ideas?
rust spots after 1st year
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/6 Matt
30 Degrees Crooked
Dont drive the car in bad weather. Problem solved.
1973dusterkid
Watch This
Mine is the same I just coated the bottom with some undercoating If I were you just get a gallon of the rust preventing under coating. I drive my car everyday rain or shine have not had any problems other then I have to touch up around the leafs and between the leafs with some black spray paint every now and then.
Between the leafs? I wouldn't worry about that for a split second. If you actually drive your car you won't be able to maintain a perfect paint job on your leaf springs.
As far as pinch welds etc, the undercoating suggestion is probably the best idea. Although if you drive your car at all, you'll probably end up with some surface rust here and there on the undercarriage. Some surface rust is no big deal, the biggest thing you want to prevent is trapping any dirt or crud in the pinch welds, as that will hold moisture and you'll actually get rust through.
From the factory the bottoms of these cars weren't even painted, just some random overspray unless it was a factory undercoating car. Some rust staining is perfectly normal and won't hurt anything. Joints and seams would be the only thing I would concerned with, and only if they were actually trapping dirt or water.
If you actually drive your car, it won't be perfect. You'll get grease and oil in the engine compartment, rock chips on your fenders, and dirt everywhere. But I'd rather see a car at a show with a little bit of dirt, oil and rust than some perfect, overly restored garage queen.
As far as pinch welds etc, the undercoating suggestion is probably the best idea. Although if you drive your car at all, you'll probably end up with some surface rust here and there on the undercarriage. Some surface rust is no big deal, the biggest thing you want to prevent is trapping any dirt or crud in the pinch welds, as that will hold moisture and you'll actually get rust through.
From the factory the bottoms of these cars weren't even painted, just some random overspray unless it was a factory undercoating car. Some rust staining is perfectly normal and won't hurt anything. Joints and seams would be the only thing I would concerned with, and only if they were actually trapping dirt or water.
If you actually drive your car, it won't be perfect. You'll get grease and oil in the engine compartment, rock chips on your fenders, and dirt everywhere. But I'd rather see a car at a show with a little bit of dirt, oil and rust than some perfect, overly restored garage queen.
When I bought new springs for my Challenger, they had a cheap black paint job on them that was already rusting. I pulled apart each spring pack, cleaned the paint and rust off each leaf, and applied RPM to them so they wouldn't rust. Then I reassembled them. That was two years ago and they still look good.
Rice Nuker
Let the Coal Roll!
I doubt CLR would harm paint on the underside. You could try a bit on a test place which is inconspicuous. Apply and rinse off with water, dry completely and use this or similar spray wax rust inhibitor:
http://www.corrosionx.com/corrosionx-heavy-duty.html
http://www.dinitrol.co.uk/rust_prevention_waxes_and_oils.aspx
I am considering applying this or a similar wax spray into the cracks of pinch welds when I am done building my car.
Got any pictures of your issues?
http://www.corrosionx.com/corrosionx-heavy-duty.html
http://www.dinitrol.co.uk/rust_prevention_waxes_and_oils.aspx
I am considering applying this or a similar wax spray into the cracks of pinch welds when I am done building my car.
Got any pictures of your issues?
Jason Cunningham
Well-Known Member
I won't purposely drive my car when it's pissing rain, but I won't turn around and go home just because it starts raining. Also, EVERYONE has been caught in the rain on the way back from a car show or cruise nite from time to time. I drive a MOPAR, not a sugar cube.
pyrojim
Well-Known Member
Not sure about a car, but Goof off is a great rust remover.
/6 Matt
30 Degrees Crooked
Bingo! My train of thought exactly, either driv it and live without perfect paintjob or garage queen it.
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