Removing rust from seams

Post by **Jonni** » 07 Apr 2007, 20:46

Can anyone suggest the best technique and tools for removing rust from the seams on my camper?

Post by **HarryMann** » 07 Apr 2007, 21:06

Here's a starter for 10 in THE Club Wiki...

http://wiki.80-90.co.uk/index.php/Body_ ... Glass_Rust

Peeps take different approaches of course! Some swear by small aspot-blaster... Halfords or some aircraft tool suppliers do them I think. Don't forget the back, that's where the water often gets in, else it'll soon return.

Post by **Jonni** » 08 Apr 2007, 17:04

Cheers Harry. I think I'll go with the wire brush technique.

Post by **HarryMann** » 08 Apr 2007, 19:40

If you really go at it with a twist-knot brush on a 4 1/2" grinder, it at least removes any scaley rust, scrape down them with a fine scriber to chip out any scale right inside seam and then paint/stipple/force Rust Encapsulator right into the join, that seems (sic!) to sort it for at least a few years - mine aren't showing any signs after 2 years and they've not even been top coated.

If you see any dark coloured rust when chipping rust scale off, darker than exposed rust, then that's damp rust, always let it air for a while to dry before painting that... a hot air gun is handy, on low, if weather is not hot/dry, soon dries off any damp ! Hair dryer if not got a paint stripper hot-air gun, but they're only about £12 anyway (Bosch).

Don't worry about making a mess either side of seam - just ensure you get a good thick fresh layer of paint right into the join - area has to eb smoothed off and painted later anyway. Main thing is to stop it rusting anymore - ever again - if poss. One can of Eastwoods RE will do, always keep lid on it in hot wether, Hammerite thinners thins, brushes usually are chucked away, so £1 shop ones are the rule, not worth cleaning usually

Website · Post by **CovKid** » 09 Apr 2007, 12:20

Vactan! Dead easy to apply and cheap too.

See this thread: http://archive.club8090.co.uk/viewtopic ... ght=vactan

Post by **"WEAZLECHIN"** » 09 Apr 2007, 14:15

yesterday i removed a plate that had been welded over the seam behind my fridge. at first it looked "not too bad" !! until i poked further and realised a lot more welding needed to be done

. anyway its done now and in treated the rest of the seams with VACTAN, it dries onto the rust and seals it too(almost like rubber) fingers crossed eh

Post by **Jonni** » 09 Apr 2007, 14:31

Thank you for the great advice. I have already got the undercoat on, but I don't think the rust will be kept at bay for very long. I don't have any power tools and I'm working on the street so I got as much rust off as possible with a wire brush first. Secondly I used some really coarse wet 'n' dry and then left it for a couple of hours to dry out. I then used some pokey german rust sealant stuff and painted all the seams. Left it to dry out a couple of hours and have just put on a coat of primer. It looks pretty "pooh" though.

I'm going to leave it over night before putting on the top coat.

Post by **HarryMann** » 10 Apr 2007, 00:35

Sounds good enough, at least you've tried... airing the whole area after chipping away large rust scales is always a good idea. Sealing it all in with moisture still in there is not, but very common mistake.

Although the factory applied rubberised underseal is very good on late models, once water does find its way behind, tends to stay there and cannot dry out - and then worse than no underseal. This usally happens where several sheets of metal or several sections meet up.

Website · Post by **CovKid** » 12 Apr 2007, 21:04

WEAZLECHIN will back me up here. Vactan (glad you found some Weazlechin) is very liquid and you get lots of it in a bottle. It runs nicely into crevaces and wherever I've applied it on my bus, the rust has been stopped in its tracks - completely. You can paint straight over it - no need for primer.

It is perfect for seams and other difficult to reach areas but good on any rust anywhere to be honest.

Post by **toolsntat** » 12 Apr 2007, 21:13

Whats it cost and for how much and from where??

Post by **"WEAZLECHIN"** » 13 Apr 2007, 12:13

i got some off ebay about £6.50 inc postage.

Post by **phredd** » 14 Apr 2007, 11:47

Just give the Dremel a hiding. Started to de-rust one seam for a trial.
Took the seam down to bear metal and applied 'Vactan'. Dried a nice shade of black
Very little rust on the seams but will do them all over the next few weeks.
All I need now is the 'Rustoleum' in VW white VW L90E if they do it.
Do they or can they get that colour ?

Phredd

Website · Post by **CovKid** » 14 Apr 2007, 17:58

You may get some joy by talking to Lawsons but mixing colours is likely to quadruple the price as you need a tin of this, tin of that etc.

That said, you could buy two tins and mix em.

Red and blue will give you purple etc but mixing fully will take hours with a stick and you can't mix like crazy or you'll never get rid of the bubbles.