Dealing with some light frame rust and this pesky bumper cover piece
 

Hey truck country. Just got my first pickup, 06 Chevy 1500 and can't say how glad I am to find a true grandpa truck, really worth maintaining. The first things I'm tackling are treating surface rust on the frame, and trading out the froofy white front upper bumper cover for a black one.

On the frame rust, what can I do that's not too expensive to treat the little rust it has? My budget's tight after putting out this cash, so I'm hoping there's something in a simple spray can (or 5) I can just coat it with and not have to worry for a while.

https://imgur.com/PLwelDC

https://imgur.com/138afSc



Second is this pesky bumper cover I'm trying to get on. It fits into place by pushing plastic retainer tabs through these holes and getting them to click into place. The new cover seems to line up with the existing bumper well enough, but I pushed so hard trying to get these things to click in I came this close to giving myself an aneurysm. Any advice for how a mere mortal can get these tabs to click in? Thanks ahead.

https://imgur.com/1ugWrxi

https://imgur.com/Sn8nWKp

Re: Dealing with some light frame rust and this pesky bumper cover piece
 

This stuff really works to eat away surface rust.

Link: https://www.amazon.com/Corrosion-Pro...3536555&sr=8-6


Attachment 2444117

Re: Dealing with some light frame rust and this pesky bumper cover piece
 

I downloaded the second picture and made it lighter so I could see it better. I don't know if this is the same as my '04 or not. I will take a look at mine in the morning and see. Mine is apart.
.

Re: Dealing with some light frame rust and this pesky bumper cover piece
 

Thanks for the advice guys. I've gotten a lot of good feedback on this fluid film stuff so that's the direction I'll be going.

Does it act as a rust converter or just provide a good seal from the elements?

Re: Dealing with some light frame rust and this pesky bumper cover piece
 

If its an aftermarket cover the tabs are probably poorly formed.

Regardless factory or aftermarket. Line the tab up and give it a good firm slap/hit with the meat/palm of your hand. Or something like a soft rawhide or rubber mallet.

They like some momentum going in, like a firm slap or gentle hit.

Re: Dealing with some light frame rust and this pesky bumper cover piece
 

You can watch it dissolve the surface rust when you first spray it on.

Re: Dealing with some light frame rust and this pesky bumper cover piece
 

What's good for inside of new rockers that will coat and seal?
Ron

Re: Dealing with some light frame rust and this pesky bumper cover piece
 

Link: https://www.eastwood.com/kbs-coating...tip-75101.html

Something like this is what I have used in the past.

Re: Dealing with some light frame rust and this pesky bumper cover piece
 

Will try it. Thanks
Ron