Treating surface rust

[RickH]

Have a large pair of Car ramps ….mild steel angle iron.
Looks like never painted, probably got 20 yrs of surface rust.
Metal is sound .. what options can you suggest to clean off surface rust and then treat surface.

I could just wire brush and paint with direct to rust hammerite ? (Or more likely Smoothrite) …. Or open to suggestions.

 

[foxhole]

I did mine with hammerite , no problem.

 

[blup]

Hammerite’s brilliant stuff, even on rust

 

[RickH]

Hammerite it is ..... I have several part tins of Hammerite.
I'll put Hammerite 'Smooth' as the first coat, then once cured Hammerite 'Hammer finish' on top.

Used Hammerite many times - only failing in on external metal work with Hammered finish the 'dimples' don't protect so well .... and start rusting, presumably as protection is thin.

 

[Burnerman]

My formula....
Scrape or sand off what rust you can
Apply a rust converter such as Rustins
Apply a coat of etching primer
Apply Hammerite Smoothrite ( which is hopeless to brush, better to spray).
Hammerite doesn’t kill rust in any way but it is a tough and thick top coating.
John

 

[RickH]

Even though it says to use 'direct to rust' you think using a primer first is better.?

 

[Burnerman]

Hammerite will stick to rust reasonably well, but I do think they are exaggerating the facts somewhat with their claims!
Hammerite does not attack or cure rust in any way but as it prevents oxygen getting to the metal it may slow down the corrosion to some degree.
Primer will help paint adhesion, but an etching primer is much better, especially if the paint will be exposed to severe weather. The difference between etching primer and ordinary primer is significant in my opinion.
For wheel ramps, which should be quite strongly made, full protection isn’t really necessary but for thin material such as inner wings the more help the better!
I don’t recommend the hammer finish stuff, although it can look good.....Smoothrite for me. Ive been known to brush the stuff first, followed by a spray can if the finish is important.
John

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Electrolysis, removes rust best, if you can get the item in a suitable container.

 

[opps]

AFAIK, the Hammerite direct to rust need the rust to be removed first. I use a lot of Owatrol oil. I use it as a paint additive for oil based paints to help them flow. They promote it as a primer for rusty metal, again, I think you need to remove the oxidised metal.

 

[opps]

Electrolysis, removes rust best, if you can get the item in a suitable container.

So you run a current through a liquid? Sounds interesting, do you have links. Tnx

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

So you run a current through a liquid? Sounds interesting, do you have links. Tnx

Lots of links around google 'rust electrolysis'

How to Remove Rust with Electrolysis in a Few Simple Steps

Electrolysis cleans away rust like magic, and you can set up a system with a battery charger and a few household items.

www.familyhandyman.com

Very effective, I've used the process many times..

 

[RickH]

Electrolysis, removes rust best, if you can get the item in a suitable container.

Too big, so just looking for the optimum way to treat. I had a set of trailer wheel sandblasted & galvanised .... which worked well, but too expensive for a £20 set of car ramps..
I have wire-brushed with power tools so loose rust off ... I have decided to get a bottle of Rust Converter and will paint all with that, will; convert any rust that remains.
The paint ... this last step is not yet clear 'maybe' smooth hammerite as a base coat then 'hammered' hammeriite on top ..... mixing product as I have tins of each.

 

[RickH]

AFAIK, the Hammerite direct to rust need the rust to be removed first. I use a lot of Owatrol oil. I use it as a paint additive for oil based paints to help them flow. They promote it as a primer for rusty metal, again, I think you need to remove the oxidised metal.

Not according to Hammerite web site .. only any loose rust, they do claim & lable the product as 'Direct to Rust'

 

[Burnerman]

It can be applied direct to rust, but it won't stop it.......nothing will, but a rust converter will put off the inevitable for some time.
It's just fine for what you want.
John

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Too big, so just looking for the optimum way to treat. I had a set of trailer wheel sandblasted & galvanised .... which worked well, but too expensive for a £20 set of car ramps..

All it needs is a plastic barrel, water, soda, and a 12v battery. Plastic barrels are almost given away.