Treating rusty seams, worth waiting for summer?

[dink]

i'm going to have a crack at soda blasting

For what purpose?

rusty seams, my t3 seems like it's almost falling appart

if i have to cut and weld in new metal, the seams will go

[HarryMann]

Then soda blasting won't be of any help...

You need a spot-sand blaster if at all, but if that bad, then rip them right out with a twist-knot brush (radial not cup-type)

[weldore]

i also agree with you ,ive had years of practice with a grinder,use them every day.maybe it would be a little harsh if your not sure but it worked for me,sorry if i mislead anyone but i had no problems with it on its side..but always,always remember you cant put some filler in your eyes to repair them so get kitted up

[The Serb]

Thanks for all the replies , think ill just put some corrosion block/wax on those seams, stock up on the right grinding gear and wait until May.

I am scared of what I'll find but thankfully I will have access to welding gear in May to do a proper job if needs be. From what I have read will be good to take the time to strip out van completely to get right in and treat both sides.

Never thought would grow into such a big job when there were only a few small bubbles before winter.

I keep reading about vactan, por-15 and rust bullet everyone swears by one of them.
I've already bought some por-15 on some advice from a friend.
Does it really make much of a difference which product is used as I would have thought they all do the same job, surely it is more down to preparation and finish?

[HarryMann]

Add Rust Encapsulator to that list..

I suppose it's '...pays your money and takes your choice', as well as what you get easily enough

[jake1953]

I've just bought some Vactan rust treatment and "it says on the tin" not to be used below 10 degrees. As I am working on my driveway, guess I'll be waiting a while yet then!

[CovKid]

too much damp about as well. Rust treatment is fair weather only.

[HarryMann]

Very true, but if marginal, a hot air gun can be a handy accessory

[fix]

if you can get hold of some welding gloves and some saftey specs or better still a full face mask before you do any grinding it will save your eyes and digits from becoming part of the crap on the floor...seriously get some good gloves,not them gardening ones either ,use them when using the grinder and handleing steel and if you can, use a pair of old jeans dont do it in your best frock

but more importantly...have fun !!

Add some ear protectors to the list. When ive used the angle grinder attachments like on the ebay links without ear muffs ive regretted it,its not good for your ears at all they make a rather deafening noise!

[weldore]

some ear plugs work better,especially when your welding,i find it makes the weld sound better and seem to make you weld better too..my opinion only...also if you have ever had some welding sparks go right into your tab theres an awful smell of candles

[oldiguana]

the three worst welding spark incidents have to be when you are welding a sill lying on your side n a spark lands in your ear....you dont notice it till you hear the wax in your ear starts sizzling!!!!..... mig welding with yor gob open n a small spark rolls down your throat internally.....or weldin in a seated position with an old pair of trackies on n a spark singes your b****x.......its a pain only men would understand!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[HarryMann]

Aren't we all wearing full face welding helmets these days...

[Ian Hulley]

a hot air gun can be a handy accessory

Yes, our de-rusted van's has been sat in the oven at 70 degrees all weekend.

Ian.

[weldore]

Aren't we all wearing full face welding helmets these days...

them pesky sparks arnt bothered about full face masks,they bounce here and there till they hit their target...also..quite a bad one..where i work we work on benches ,they look like the frame work of a bench that hasnt had the top put on..one bloke one day finished welding and threw his gun onto the bench where it swung through the gaps and hit him in the knob end !!! with the glowing end of the wire firmly embedded.well you know what that does dont ya..stabs you then burns the insides...it was about 10mm into the member