Using CLR on surface rust. How am I doing?
 

After seeing a really nice patina'd truck this weekend that had been waxed, I decided to try CLR on a couple areas of my truck to see how it would work. Here is what I did:
1. Clean area with cloth and dry thoroughly.
2. Apply CLR with a common household dish washing sponge (has a bit of plastic mesh on one side but is far from being a scouring pad.) Use moderate elbow grease.
3. Wash with clear water and dry.
4. Re-wash with water mixed with baking powder to neutralize any residual CLR.

Here are the pics:
Rear of passenger bed side. This is what it looks like pre-CLR.
http://imageshack.us/a/img546/556/po3z.jpg

Rear side of driver's side bed side. This is after CLR. It looked like the pic above beforehand.
http://imageshack.us/a/img209/2021/fq10.jpg

In this pic, I used CLR on the lower left of the tailgate where it meet's the driver's side bed side . It was previously orange with rust all the way to the bottom. Should I continue? There isn't much paint left and a lot of the undercoating is going to show when I am done.
http://imageshack.us/a/img713/2733/x5s1.jpg

This is a before pic of the back half of the passenger side bed.
http://imageshack.us/a/img832/7180/mnbf.jpg

This is an after pic. I only focused on a few of the rust spots. You can see again that light rubbing with the sponge is exposing more of the primer. The paint on this truck is pretty shot.
http://imageshack.us/a/img821/2451/c1zh.jpg

Here is one last shot. You can see the area above that I worked on and how the rest of the panel looks.
http://imageshack.us/a/img18/1881/xziz.jpg

So, here are my questions:
Do you recommend that I continue?
Should I retain same technique and tools or alter it?

I think the truck will look good with the rust removed and a nice coat of wax to protect it but I don't think that there is going to be a lot of tan paint left on it when all is said and done.

Thanks in advance,

Grant

Re: Using CLR on surface rust. How am I doing?
 

It comes down to one question: Are you happy with the results? If so go for it! Keep in mind that in the end it is your truck, so build it the way YOU want.
Looks like a lot of hard work, but then again if it was easy everyone would do it.
And for what it is worth............. I like it, good job .

Re: Using CLR on surface rust. How am I doing?
 

Results vary, but I personally have been down that same road with the same color paint, and I concluded it was best to leave it alone. Mother nature has slowly worked her magic over the last forty years, and all it takes is ten minutes to make it look ..well, unnatural. I say if the underlying paint is robust enough to take a polish, then maybe .. but if not, just let it be.

Re: Using CLR on surface rust. How am I doing?
 

After trying small areas as samples I went ahead and did the work. I used a sponge with the CLR rather than a scotch brite pad so I could work in layers and to be certain not to remove any paint from underneath. It took a lot of hours but once I got going I lost myself in it. I didn't do the tailgate, front end or roof. I feel that is was a bonding experience with my truck :lol: It was however a bit hard on my fingertips. I then washed the truck and waxed it with a high quality clear wax. I love how it came out. It isn't a very large difference from before hand but now light plays more off the different surfaces and I appreciate the lines better and I think that the panels have more depth to them. It especially pops at night under street lights. I have seen other trucks in other colors or with other types of aging that I would never do this to but I love how it worked out with this one. Plus, it kept me busy until I can afford more $$$ upgrades.

http://imageshack.us/a/img824/1212/dug8.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img560/1853/83g0.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img812/5585/7hon.jpg

Re: Using CLR on surface rust. How am I doing?
 

Heck that looks great!

Some guys do what you did and shoot clear over it instead of wax. I like what you did!
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Re: Using CLR on surface rust. How am I doing?
 

Looking good endless,
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Re: Using CLR on surface rust. How am I doing?
 

Looks great! Now lets see some close ups of the doors. :chevy:

Re: Using CLR on surface rust. How am I doing?
 

Thanks guys! Here is a close-up of the door.
http://imageshack.us/a/img46/971/jlh0.jpg

Re: Using CLR on surface rust. How am I doing?
 

Man! That looks awesome.

I'd say the body is done. - Seriously

Re: Using CLR on surface rust. How am I doing?
 

I think so too...except I might try and pull the dents in the doors out a bit. I purchased a suction cup-style dent puller from Northern Tool.

Re: Using CLR on surface rust. How am I doing?
 

Before you attack any dents, please search the internet for videos on the subject.


I don't know, maybe you already know the tips and tricks, but I always just started from the deepest part of the dent and started pushing or pulling things out. But I guess the idea is to remove the dent in reverse of the way it occured. 'First in - Last out'

Re: Using CLR on surface rust. How am I doing?
 

Truck looks sweet....!

Re: Using CLR on surface rust. How am I doing?
 

I didn't want to clear shoot it because from what I have seen doing that darkens the patina and makes the car super shiny. I also want my truck to continue to age gently. Lastly, I did it that way because I drive on dirt roads every day up and back from the ranch and it will be a lot easier to clean the dust off the wax using my California Car Duster. :smoke:

Re: Using CLR on surface rust. How am I doing?
 

Thanks for the tip. I read that too.

Re: Using CLR on surface rust. How am I doing?
 

That makes alot of sense endless.

Re: Using CLR on surface rust. How am I doing?
 

Truck Look really good!!! I'd put a Lil wax and drive it like that.. Good Job!!!
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Re: Using CLR on surface rust. How am I doing?
 

Looks really good !

I've been working the 'Burban as well ... slowly when time allows.

Originally white, then primered over. Scotch Brites and soap and water to remove primer ....

Hopefully will be all patina white soon.

Great job !!

I understand the work involved ... ;)

Re: Using CLR on surface rust. How am I doing?
 

CLR on. CLR off. Baking Soda on. Baking Soda off. Wax on. Wax off. You feel like the karate kid after an especially hectic day. It is a labor of love for sure.

Re: Using CLR on surface rust. How am I doing?
 

that looks great