I posted in another thread regarding the status of my Delta 88 and its rust spots, so I wanted to get a general feel for what the community here prefers in terms of surface rust removal: Sandblasting or Muriatic (Hydrochloric) Acid and a Neutralizer, such as Lye (Sodium Hydroxide).

The reason I ask is because sandblasting is very messy, and will get sand into every nook and cranny of the car. Acid and alkali is time consuming (and produces some noxious fumes), but isn't as tedious to clean up as sand. My boyfriend swears by using acid and alkali, at least on surface rust, but my father recommends sandblasting.

Would anyone care to share their thoughts?

If you are patching it up for a quick sale, put "Bondo" over the rust and paint it.

If you are serious about repairing it, cut the cancer out and replace it with new sheet metal.

Regards, Norm

I don't exactly have the tools to cut out the rust (which is only on the surface), weld in new sheet metal, and grind it down. I know that would likely be the optimal fix, but that is a Hell of a lot of work for some meek surface rust. Unfortunately, that extensive of a repair isn't really an option, and that's why I was looking at either sandblasting or using acid and an alkali. My boyfriend is a great welder, but neither of us have access to the tools at the moment.

http://www.eastwood.com/ew-rust-dissolver-gallon.html

Norm

An actual rust dissolver would be your best bet, such as what Norm linked to. Using an acid is a little too aggressive IMO, you're removing more than rust.

Sandblasting is also a great way to remove rust, but as you noted--it gets very messy. Of course, there's blast-vacs which actually recycle the sand as you're blasting...but they're pricey and require a very large air compressor. Sandblasting in general requires a good compressor with a high CFM output and a large tank for reserve. If you happen to have one, then I'd look into possibly renting a blast-vac.

Otherwise..."rust dissolver" would be the way to go.

TOC Admin
Brando

Guys, thank-you for your input! I know the acid is super aggressive, but it was the first thing suggested to me, so I thought I would ask before going ahead with the process; and I'm glad I did. I'll continue to look into some of the rust remover and give it a test on one of the doors before using it on the other areas of the car that don't yet need to be replaced. No harm in doing it on one of the doors, because they're so badly rusted through they need replacement anyway.

Thanks again!

Also: The Delta 88 my family had growing up was sold to a friend of mine from high school, and was still leaking sand the day we sold it to him. The sandblasting had been done at least two years prior to sale.. Yikes.