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Rust starting in trunk.. how to stop it.

SteveSS

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the trunk was in perfect shape. We were waiting and waiting for a shop to fix the brakes. When we moved it a saw a bunch of water drain fron=m the right rear corner of the trunk. The rubber seals were all new but it sure got wet. I dred it out but there is a rust scale forming in some areas. It has that flecked covering but what should i do? I'm worried the fenders will start to rust at the bottom seams!!!
 
You got leaks. Rear window, tail-lights, etc.
 
get as much as you can with wire brush, sandpaper, even a grinder.

then use a rust converter.

they do work, but you have to get as much of the rust off as you possibly can.

I've considered putting a large desiccant pouch down in the drop-off area.
Would need to check that frequently to be sure it wasn't full and holding water against the metal.
 
Fix the leak first then thoroughly let it dry in a heated garage. I agree with YY1, an encapsulator like POR15 or Rust Bullet is another option.
 
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POR15 on the Floorpan of my Coronet.
 
My 2-cents. I agree with YY1 to wire brush off as much as possible first, then you have 2 options. You can dissolve the rust (naval jelly/rust remover) or react the rust (Rust Mort/POR 15). I normally react the rust BUT if the panels are brand new, then I would probably remove the rust instead. The rust remover will eat away more at surrounding good metal, fyi.

Also, as other said.... fix the leak & get some paint on the rusting areas if they're bare metal.
 
I've had good luck with this-

rustfix.png


I've even used only this on some fasteners, my A/C lines and even a vintage Bell System lineman's hammer I restored. Things that should be "bare metal".

If there's little to no rust, then it's a clear coating.

If there's a tiny bit, it prevents it from getting any worse and only leaves black specs where the rust is.

Again, you need to get down to what I call "the last layer".
Any scale at all will render it ineffective.
 
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I’ve used por 15 on a couple cars. Worst rust protection ever! I think it actually promotes rust.
 
What I do with that is, brush on Ospho, Evapo Rust or Phosphoric acid on the area. Cover with a plastic sheet so the solution does not evaporate. Every 5 or 6 hours brush again, then cover. Keep doing this and within a couple days that rust will be dissolved. Key is keeping it wet. You'll then get back to silvery metal. Been doing this for years.
 
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