How to get rid of surface pit rust on body

[kliv555]

I’m starting to notice a few small rust pits as I am sanding the body. What are some options that have provided good results? I know sand blast would be the best but that isn’t very practical for my situation.

 

[Kern Dog]

A pit is missing metal due to corrosion. You cannot eliminate it. The best that you can do is replace metal or fill the pit with something.....either filler or lead. If the pit is shallow, you can use high build primer and lots of sanding.

 

[Bighouse]

Phosphoric Acid and some patience.

 

[snakeoil24]

Remove with a good phos acid like above then apply epoxy follow with spray bondo. Or if deep lead is the only way.

 

[YY1]

What car are you working on that has no body line at the wheel lip?

 

[HemiSuperBee]

Get yourself a spot blaster. Blast the area. If it goes through a patch will be required. If not cover it with a good quality primer. Not a spray bomb. Make sure it is DTM. Then fill in using a quality filler that can be used over primer. This is the only way to make sure it does not haunt you in a few years.

 

[hunt2elk]

I agree with getting a small handheld spot blaster, mine came from Harbor Freight. Blast and then epoxy prime. I hate rust.......

 

[CarolinaCharger]

Tractor Supply also has the small handheld blasters. It would work well on those spots.

 

[CarolinaCharger]

That's a 68 Charger, correct ?

 

[91r/t]

I agree with getting a small handheld spot blaster, mine came from Harbor Freight. Blast and then epoxy prime. I hate rust.......

^^ This plus maybe wipe some of this on it a night before you prime and let it kill and seal any rust you cannot see. Used it on several cars works awesome and turns the rust black and kills it on the spot so it doesn't come back.

 

[QuickBpBp]

That looks like it was stripped and not prepped properly before painting . I bet there is probably way more rust under that paint than you think.. Strip it and find out how bad it really is..

 

[Canadian1968]

A pit is missing metal due to corrosion. You cannot eliminate it. The best that you can do is replace metal or fill the pit with something.....either filler or lead. If the pit is shallow, you can use high build primer and lots of sanding.

Description is correct. But if it is shallow or superficial. Then you can simply remove the sounding metal down to the same level. AKA just sand / grind it. Even on modern day cars that are only apporx 22-20 gauge steel , there is still material there to be moved if the rust is just starting.

Other options for pitting are. Wire wheel or 3m roloc / fiber disc . These work REALLY well

Sand blasting as mentioned but that process in itself creates it own pitting in the metal. Personally I only use it for heavy pitted rusted pieces .

Then there are the chemical options or electrolysis which isn't really an option in this case.

If it is very light I would simply sand it down to fresh metal . And carry on with the repair.

 

[R413]

LOOK@ the far right in the photo it was already blasted there. Need to remove it and see what is left. Get a wire. Wheel on a drill and see what happens to it. It will go away or make a hole. Either way it needs to come off. Or sand blast of use chemicals to get it removed works well also.

Being on the edge of the wheel lip it could be coming from the inside out. Or it could have started on the lip and come around the corner.

 

[eldubb440]

 

[dana44]

They call that surface rust, rust free in for sale adds. Easy day.

 

[WileERobby]

Always remember what WileERobby says: "where there's rust... there's more" .

 

[hunt2elk]

And if you do opt for using Rust Mort or anything else with phosphoric acid, it needs to be rinsed well with water to neutralize.

 

[kliv555]

That's a 68 Charger, correct ?

Correct.

 

[kliv555]

Thanks for the responses. The reason the right side looks like it’s been stripped it because I started sanding the quarter panel to where I plan to cut to put quarter panel patch in. I’m just starting to notice these small pits as I’m sanding out the old paint. But from what I’m gathering, I’m probably best stripping the paint all around the car and make a new plan forward from there? I’ve attached a zoomed out photo.

 

[dana44]

all those small pits will come back and create bubble spots on your new paint in a couple years if they aren't done right. for example, a quick sanding and glazing putty, it will look good but it's coming back.