Vactan.

[skysurfin09]

Who's a stupid boy then? I didn't think that the finished item needed to be rubbed down before rolling the paint. One coat of paint later and I DO.......

[ninja.turtle007]

Can't see why you can't flat it it back one the paint has dried and recoat.

I'm really glad to see you are getting there. Post up some pics when you get a chance.

[ghost123uk]

I didn't think that the finished item needed to be rubbed down before rolling the paint. One coat of paint later and I DO.......

I use Vactan, could you expand on what the issue was ?

[skysurfin09]

Hello John, The issue was my idiocy, I had studied the DVD concerning applying Vactan and noted that it had primer qualities and also thought that it had levelling properties. I did think it odd at the time but there was a disconnect in my brain obviously. I've since spent another 10hours rubbing her down again. Regards Rob the Plank

[CovKid]

On the Vactan (superhero type voice) front, you can often flat treated areas just before rollering as Rustoleum also has rust-inhibiting properties. However, as with any corrosion, whether rollering or spraying, you can never guarantee that you've got it all and you may find some areas bubble up later on. I found this quite useful as they were easy enough to paint again and helped me identify genuine trouble spots rather than spending hours on areas that were nipped in the bud. Anyone who has spent a couple of grand on a respray will appreciate my point here. Easy enough to touch up anything that requires further work with a roller but if sprayed it can be a right nightmare and expensive too.

Clearly an area that is plagued by rust may need fresh steel but you'll soon know.

[skysurfin09]

Ralph, no slight on your excellant DVD I'm religous at following orders but I cocked up. Rob

[CovKid]

No, and no offence taken fella. I'm really trying to post a general reply on this as you won't be the only person to ask I'm sure. The problem is that body prep is a subject in itself and there are loads of ways of attacking rust and certainly a feeling by some that any rust treatment is doomed to failure anyway. I find there are some areas where you win and some where you don't but main thing is not to get too worried about Vactan and just see it as a cautionary measure before you get on to rollering. Because you have to get a smooth flat surface, its inevitable that you'll lose some Vactan in trying to achieve that and sometimes its a fingers-crossed job whether any corrosion will actually come back. My tailgate seems determined to ignore every attempt to treat rust in one corner and I guess I'll have to cut and weld to regain control but at least I won't have to return to the spray shop.

On the plus side, the saving grace of Vactan is that it does seems to stabilise rust (providing its not too deep) with no paint at all so works well during the long phase of getting the vehicle ready to paint or where you simply don't have time/money to find a permanent cure. The military use it, so do narrow boat owners and certainly I've used it to treat stone chips with no sign of rust even after a year or more and no other paint. But yes, you'll still have to flat those areas otherwise they'll stick out like a sore thumb. Its a compromise I guess.

The seams are the worst as its virtually impossible to get every trace of rust and you may well have to return to areas you thought you'd solved but at least seams are less of an issue in terms of getting a reasonable finish. You just have to be pedantic in treating and not take a "that'll do" approach even if it means pulling out cupboards to get to the other side of seams. Better to spend a day or so on a section using a grit blaster or dremel to get the loose stuff out and getting back to as much clean metal as possible than have to do it all again 6-12 months later.

Vactan is no magic cure but it does get you out of trouble. Surface filler or high-build primer can be good too.

Finally, cockups are good - its what sets the groundwork for accumulated knowledge. I should know - made plenty of them.