CLR cleaning before paint

[Midgets50]

so in a few weeks im going to have my truck clear coated and am going to use CLR to clean it to keep that original patina look. My question is how long do you guys scrub with the CLR. i left the brake cylinder i though i was going to use in it overnight because i forgot about it. Came back and took it out and it looked like new. i know i cant do this to the truck but just wondering how long you guys would sit and scrub and what methods you guys would think would yield the best results. id post a picture so you guys could see the patina, but for some reason it wont let me no matter what i do with the picture

[Dan in Pasadena]

CLR plus a Scotch-Brite pad until the rust is gone to your satisfaction. Dry it thoroughly and get it sprayed immediately after you're certain its totally dry.

[meter swinger]

And be sure to wear gloves. I took a break to drink a beer, took the glove off my right hand and forgot to put it back on. I went for a long time before i realized it...skin peeled for two weeks on that hand
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[dubie]

You'll need to rinse the sheet metal with clean water after you use the CLR. Otherwise, your clear coat will react to the chemical and not adhere properly
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[Midgets50]

thanks for the tips guys. do you guys suggest full strength or should i mix it 50/50 like the bottle suggest?

[dubie]

i would when I used it on a few parts, I soaked the scotch brite pad in a bucket of warm water, then used CLR straight from the bottle.

[meter swinger]

I have used it undiluted and 50/50, the job goes faster undiluted but you may try a small batch 50/50 first. Don't do it in your driveway as it will stain your concrete.lol. do it on gravel or dirt.
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[Coach529]

I did full strength with a new scotchbrite pad.

Worked like a charm. I am curious how well the clear will stick.

[NEWFISHER]

Originally Posted by Coach529

I did full strength with a new scotchbrite pad.

Worked like a charm. I am curious how well the clear will stick.

Only as well as the adhesion between the original surface and the "patina"
The clear will stick to the scotch brite'ed surface, but if the current patina is failing, the clear will come off with the failed patina. It will lock it down for several years, provide a UV screen that will slow the process, but heat and washing will be the enemy.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by NEWFISHER

Only as well as the adhesion between the original surface and the "patina"
The clear will stick to the scotch brite'ed surface, but if the current patina is failing, the clear will come off with the failed patina. It will lock it down for several years, provide a UV screen that will slow the process, but heat and washing will be the enemy.

That is my fear.......that is why I am afraid to clear Henry.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Why be afraid? Patina is the result of the paint is breaking down afterall. It's not like you are going to stop it entirely decades after it has begun to break down. You'll arrest it for awhile but ultimately you have to remove all the old failed paint and repaint properly, OR let the failed paint continue and the metal will begin to break down.

EDIT: Besides, patina will not always be "en vogue" just like root beer brown paint or raised white letter tires! If you live long enough (and own it long enough) you're going to want to do something else with it anyway.