After electrolysis, how do I prevent flash rust?

[In The Ten Ring]

Well electrolysis seems to work for de-rusting, although I need a lot of time it seems. Once I have cleaned up a fender (which is coming next week) what do I do to prevent flash rusting?

I probably need to mention that I cannot paint it, unless with rattle can. A body shop will handle the matching the fender up to the rest of my truck.

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

Well electrolysis seems to work for de-rusting, although I need a lot of time it seems. Once I have cleaned up a fender (which is coming next week) what do I do to prevent flash rusting?

I probably need to mention that I cannot paint it, unless with rattle can. A body shop will handle the matching the fender up to the rest of my truck.

Check my photo's in the other thread. Spray with water displacing oil....more commonly known as WD-40! Don't use silicone spray. Your painter will really hate you if you do!

[In The Ten Ring]

So the painter can remove WD 40 without any trouble?

[EARNHARDT#3]

If they're parts to be painted I'd primer them with a good primer.

[hugger6933]

Greg, any good WGR or a product like Eastwood's PRE can remove all traces of the WD40. It can be sprayed on with a pump up can or wiped on/ off to get all traces removed before paint.

[In The Ten Ring]

Well that's good. Thanks for all this. Now I am much more confident I will be ready when it comes time to get this fender cleaned up, painted, and onto the truck!

[franken]

A phosphoric acid solution in a squeeze spray bottle can be used. I wonder about the washing soda in the electrolysis tank and if its acid, or base and how/if it should be neutralized.
I'm thinking of seams where 2 pieces of steel are squeezed together. Easy for water to get in there if a part is dunked, but not possible for a spray to get to the same place.
I don't have any WD40 and don't use it for anything.

[burnin oil]

Originally Posted by EARNHARDT#3

If they're parts to be painted I'd primer them with a good primer.

You have to be careful with this. Most of the older type primers actual attract water and it will soak through to the base metal. I don't think the newer stuff is any different. This is why a lot of primered cars get clear coated if that is the look the owner is after. Primer should limit flash rust but don't expect that part to sit there in primer for long periods of time without damage occurring. A lot has to do with where you live also. If your brake rotors rust really bad over night there is a good chance that your project will to.

[wbc409]

There are two products out there that I know of for treating bare metal. One is Ospho, the other is Phix. Not sure if the spelling is correct but they are a metal treatment. You can prime and use filler directly over the top. They keep bare metal from rusting. After applying the vehicle needs to be kept inside till a top coat is applied. I believe one of these products are used in the big shops when they have long term projects sitting in bare metal.

[junksaver]

Ospho is a great product. I have used it on parts striped to bare metal and they haven't rusted in years. As long as you can keep your parts out of the weather and in dry storage. You can also paint directly over it.

[Davidf]

Ospho is simply diluted phOSPHOric acid. When it dries, it is inert. Should be an affective method in preventing flash rust, if kept indoors as previously mentioned. Another fool proof method is priming with epoxy primer. With epoxy, you can store the panel outside and not worry about rust. If it rusts, you know you have a potential problem area that you can then figure out how to treat a little better (i.e. seam sealer, etc). But, the film thickness must be sufficient.

Good luck.

[audaciousduo]

This stuff is gold! I've been using it for years now and it saves you using an etch primer when you do go to paint.http://picklex20.com/store/

[Baddflash]

I've been treating with rust check rust convertor ( phosphoric acid) , though I would like to come up with something better so I don't have to paint cause the parts look pretty crappy after the acid.

Prior to treating

Immediately after removing from solution

After drying the flash rust.

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[In The Ten Ring]

That doesn't look too bad....can you spray off the parts with a pressure washer? Phosphoric acid leaves a primable residue.

[austin160]

Is there a how to tread for this? I am getting ready to restore my first truck.