Rust Remover

[JST69Z28]

I want to remove rust from the trunk floor of my 1969 Z28.  It is pitted as well as has some small holes.  I have seen info on Evaporust from this team with good reviews and have a friend who uses POR15.  I have never used either of them.  Can anyone from the team advise on a preferred brand?  I see Evaporust also comes in a gel, would that work better?  Any advice would be appreciated.

[camaronut]

Evaporust will get rid of the rust for sure but neutralizing it will be an issue.  Paint won't like sticking to the residue.  I would assume it will need a thorough rinsing before using any paint covering. You didn't ask, but if you have rust holes in the trunk floor then it's basically compromised and not very structurally safe if anything bad (accident) would happen.  I would tap around those holes with a hammer to see how sound the metal is. 

Personally, I'd replace the trunk floor if you have the ability to do it or have a pro do it..($).

By the way, I used POR-15 and it worked well.

Good luck to ya.

[70z28lt1]

I used Evaporust.  Seemed to work well.  Neutralized with flooding with first water and a scrub brush (after pulling the drains) then with lacquer thinner and finally with wax and grease remover before epoxy.  Used high build primer and blocked it.  Sealed with epoxy.  Seems to be holding up well.  Car was on a rotisserie so easy to level it out.

[cook_dw]

Show a photo of your trunk currently so we can see what you are working with.  Are you planning on restoring the trunk or leaving it as found?  Makes a difference on the plan of attack.

[David K]

I have used this a lot for the last 30 years, and it works.

[JST69Z28]

Thanks for all the feedback.  I will be working on the car over the next couple of weeks and will post a photo as soon as I can. 

[Sauron327]

I have used this a lot for the last 30 years, and it works.

Agreed. Been using for years also. Do not put it on heavy or it will fail. I prefer bare metal using Ospho ( Prep & Etch), must be thoroughly neutralized. All depends on the job and one's goals.

[CantRepeat]

I used paint remover and then navel jelly. I had to wash the navel jelly out and then dry it quickly and spray etching primer on it to keep if from flash rusting.

[Kelley W King]

I like evaporust. Soaking parts over night works really well but you can,t do a trunk like that. I have not used the gell but I would try it. Like has been said you would need to remove all the residue really well. After that i would use a por 15 coating before painting.

[Sauron327]

I like evaporust. Soaking parts over night works really well but you can,t do a trunk like that. I have not used the gell but I would try it. Like has been said you would need to remove all the residue really well. After that i would use a por 15 coating before painting.

All the years I've been in business I never used POR or had any interest. I stock other professional products.

[Charley PHX]

More on Evaporust... I had not used this product before, but saw some incredible results Chick (68camaroz28) discussed in his build thread, so thought I would give it a try...

Original spare tire wing nut and hold down, shown here, were believed to be a lost cause...

They were first given a long bath in Evaporust, then a good brushing with nylon toothbrush. The first treatment got the tire hook surprisingly clean, and brought the wingnut to about 90-95% (considering these were in pretty bad shape). Additional treatment of the wingnut was necessary to focus on pockets and corners around the weld nut. This took several cycles of repeat soaking, alternated with increasingly aggressive techniques as needed... from nylon brush to brass, and later to steel brush...  from toothpicks and popsicle sticks, to steel picks & scrapers, etc.

"BEFORE" photo #1:

[Charley PHX]

After all was said & done, I was amazed with the results... "AFTER" photo (#1):

[Charley PHX]

"AFTER" #2: Maybe overkill, but compared here with the new repop replacement parts I had previously acquired...
I misted over very lightly with zinc-silver spraybomb to enhance luster

[CantRepeat]

I've got some photos of my trunk clean up but I need to resize and shrink them to fit CRG's photo size restrictions.

[CantRepeat]

I used zip strip paint remover and than navel jelly and green scratch pads on the rust. You can see grinding marks left by prior owner rust removal.