Questions - Small Item Refinishing - What Did You Do?

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by FirstNation

A wire wheel and Phosphoric acid for all parts large and small. The larger pieces I wipe down several times and let set overnight then rinse and wash with soap and water. For the smaller parts I have a 5 gallon pail and I suspend them in there with a piece of coat hanger and check them now and then till they're done, wash and rinse..

Why don't they immediately flash rust?

[FirstNation]

Dan, after I'm done washing and rinsing I usually run the part under very hot water then quickly dry the part to avoid flash rust- Occasionally the part does flash rust anyway, if so I'll give it a light sanding or a spin on the wire wheel and then paint.

However, depending on whether the part is an "appearance" part or not and where on the vehicle it goes, I will purposely leave the flash rust and lay a coat of rust converter paint on it, then spray my finish coats. I believe the flash rust gives better overall adhesion to the paint. In my experience this method has held up very well.

[Dan in Pasadena]

On small stuf I'm not going to paint but don't want the appearance of rust - and that's almost anything - I spray Gibb's oil.

Worked great on the littles screws that hold my stock mirrors onto their stems. I didn't do it the first time and they all rusted, looked like crap. After I did it they stayed rust free for several years.

[FirstNation]

I wish I could get away with that- however I live here in Upstate New York- where everything rusts! Tons of moisture in the air between the rain, snow and humidity. I really have to go the distance to protect everything from the darn rust.

[74project]

That's funny to hear..here in vegas we are actually -56% humidity. Everything that comes here with rust immediately converts back to its new metal condition..

[OrrieG]

High desert here too, so just wire wheel on the grinder and paint or polish if stainless. I use a nut matched to the bolt or screw in vice grips to hold the small parts and use a full face mask in case it launchs off the wheel. Used to only use goggle until I embedded a piece of wood in my cheek off the table saw. Full face shield it really beat up from all the hits it has taken over the years.

[FirstNation]

hahahaha! Good one 74project!
I was lucky enough to find my project car not far from where I lived at the time, in southern Idaho- semi desert, very dry. The floors were somewhat rotted since the convertible top had rotted and fallen onto the floor, holding in the moisture from the small amount of rain and snow they get each year. Other than that the car only had some surface rust here and there where the sun had burned the paint off.

[Daze57]

FirstNation
I came from Endicott N. Y. so i feel your pain ! 'Rust never sleeps''
now livin here in vegas -----dont worry about it as much

[joedoh]

harbor freight sells a cheap vibrating tumbler.