Rusty Roof - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Lost81c10** · 12-09-2014, 12:38 PM

I am in the process attacking something that is or has been all too familiar to all of us, fixing the rusty roof on my 85 as it really needed the attention before it becomes too late. At first look I thought it had some surface rust and thought that I would hit it with some 80g and it would come off in no time however, I quickly realized that it would not be the case. The sanding did work to a degree, but the rust was still there. So I had to turn to a different approach, (chemical approach). I have been using the Naval Jelly approach as stated in a thread in another forum which some of you here were involved in and it has been working for the most part as you can see in the first pic, but it has been a time consuming task with plenty of elbow grease to go with that. On the first pic I have done about five applications and after each application process, I hit it with 80g before the next.
My questions are; how much of the rust does need to come off before it can be safe to shoot epoxy? Does it all need to come off? If I can get away with not all of it coming off, do I have to do other prep before epoxy? Does anyone have an easier tried-and-true approach you might have used, I guess blasting would be a lot easier but I don’t have that kind of eqpt. I am willing to continue this process as it does work, slowly, but I just wanted to ask before I continue with it. Thanks for the help.

Mando.

Hiluxxulih · 12-09-2014, 01:58 PM

Was your truck made in Canada ? my 1985 Chevy has rusty roof syndrome too .

Ziegelsteinfaust · 12-09-2014, 02:13 PM

I used a angle grinder with a wire cup brush, and it did the trick for me.

Have not used the jelly in 20 some years to answer on that, but I remember it being easy.

**old Rusty C10** · 12-09-2014, 03:58 PM

go to a good auto body supply store they sell a chemical that you can apply to smoothed rust that neutralizes it

**Lost81c10** · 12-09-2014, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old Rusty C10

go to a good auto body supply store they sell a chemical that you can apply to smoothed rust that neutralizes it

do you happen to know what that is called? So once applied and neutralized, I can epoxy it and it won’t grow back under the epoxy? I will stop by the paint store after work to check and see what they have. thanks.

**Lost81c10** · 12-09-2014, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hiluxxulih

Was your truck made in Canada ? my 1985 Chevy has rusty roof syndrome too .

I dont really know where it came from. i think i knew once but i dont seem to remember. it was not this bad but me not knowing anything, about a year ago i saw some paint peeling and a bit of rust on it so i decided to sand it and take it off, well i did but it grew back ten time more. lesson learned there. so now i am sanding all my body part down to bear metal and epoxying them. did my fenders and hood now i need my roof. after that will be my cab and doors and last the bed.

Hiluxxulih · 12-09-2014, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lost81c10

I dont really know where it came from. i think i knew once but i dont seem to remember. it was not this bad but me not knowing anything, about a year ago i saw some paint peeling and a bit of rust on it so i decided to sand it and take it off, well i did but it grew back ten time more. lesson learned there. so now i am sanding all my body part down to bear metal and epoxying them. did my fenders and hood now i need my roof. after that will be my cab and doors and last the bed.

I was just wondering if it was Canadian built truck thing because mine is the same way and it was made in Canada and sold in the USA .

donut · 12-09-2014, 09:13 PM

I thought there was rust, lol.
Gumball machine flashing light for the plow helped to rot a 12" hole in the center of my K-20's roof.

12-09-2014, 12:38 PM	#1
Lost81c10 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Bonaire Ga Posts: 207	Rusty Roof I am in the process attacking something that is or has been all too familiar to all of us, fixing the rusty roof on my 85 as it really needed the attention before it becomes too late. At first look I thought it had some surface rust and thought that I would hit it with some 80g and it would come off in no time however, I quickly realized that it would not be the case. The sanding did work to a degree, but the rust was still there. So I had to turn to a different approach, (chemical approach). I have been using the Naval Jelly approach as stated in a thread in another forum which some of you here were involved in and it has been working for the most part as you can see in the first pic, but it has been a time consuming task with plenty of elbow grease to go with that. On the first pic I have done about five applications and after each application process, I hit it with 80g before the next. My questions are; how much of the rust does need to come off before it can be safe to shoot epoxy? Does it all need to come off? If I can get away with not all of it coming off, do I have to do other prep before epoxy? Does anyone have an easier tried-and-true approach you might have used, I guess blasting would be a lot easier but I don’t have that kind of eqpt. I am willing to continue this process as it does work, slowly, but I just wanted to ask before I continue with it. Thanks for the help. Mando. Attached Images

12-09-2014, 01:58 PM	#2
Hiluxxulih Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Coos Bay , Oregon Posts: 272	Re: Rusty Roof Was your truck made in Canada ? my 1985 Chevy has rusty roof syndrome too . __________________ 1985 Chevrolet Custom Deluxe 4x2 , 305 v8 , 700R4 transmission

12-09-2014, 02:13 PM	#3
Ziegelsteinfaust Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Temple City Posts: 3,607	Re: Rusty Roof I used a angle grinder with a wire cup brush, and it did the trick for me. Have not used the jelly in 20 some years to answer on that, but I remember it being easy.

12-09-2014, 03:58 PM	#4
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,299	Re: Rusty Roof go to a good auto body supply store they sell a chemical that you can apply to smoothed rust that neutralizes it __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

12-09-2014, 09:13 PM	#8
donut Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: S.C. Posts: 1,593	Re: Rusty Roof I thought there was rust, lol. Gumball machine flashing light for the plow helped to rot a 12" hole in the center of my K-20's roof. __________________ '86 C-30 dually, 454/tbh400 '73 K-20 350/350/205 (sold ) I'm kinda like duct tape- no real purpose, but handy to have around.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.