Stopping Rust on a Rambler

By Classic Car Restoration Club Editors

How to Stop Rust on a Car

Q.

I’m trying to revive a 1971 Rambler Rogue. This car was sprayed twice, and every time, the rust keeps pulling through the paintwork. I started to do it myself and removed all the paint and took the car down to metal. I’ve used acids to remove the rust, but it just comes back again when I leave the car for a while to attend to other things. This job is time consuming but I want to do it properly.

A.

Thanks for the question, although it left me a little confused! When I first read your question it caught my attention. The last year AMC built the Rambler was in 1969, and the Rogue was only built from 1966–69. In 1969 a high-performance version of the Rogue was offered under the name of SC/Rambler. It was common for U.S. auto manufacturers to sell their tooling in foreign countries where they continued production, but my records indicate that Mexico stopped manufacturing Ramblers in 1970. Perhaps you can give me a little more insight into your unique ride? Let’s move to the meat of your question. It’s important to realize that as soon as you strip steel bare, it begins to rust. How fast it rusts depends on the conditions around it. High humidity, salts left by human touch, residue left by paint strippers, all can hasten the rusting process. Personally I do not like the use of acids to remove rust as the fumes are dangerous, it can harden the metal making it more brittle, and great care must be taken to ensure all residual acid is removed and neutralized. My preferred method of rust removal is mechanical in the use of blasting media or abrasive wheels. One of my favorites is the 3M Paint and Rust removal disc, which is available at many auto parts or home improvement stores. It cleans up rust quickly, removes paint, and leaves the surface ready to be primed. Having stripped many cars down to bare steel, I can tell you, there are two options. Either finish stripping the car quickly or take steps to protect the metal that is exposed. When I have a car that will remain in bare metal for an extended time, I wipe down the entire bare metal surface with a rag soaked in WD40 or ATF. The oil will prevent the metal from rusting, and when you are ready to resume work on the car, simply remove the oil residue with a quick wipe of mineral spirits. When it comes time to prime, simply clean off the oils, give the body a quick once-over with the paint and rust removal disc, clean the surface again, and prime. Wrench Safe, -Mark

Share tips, start a discussion or ask other students a question. If you have a question for an expert, please click here.

Make a comment:
characters remaining

16 Responses to “Stopping Rust on a Rambler”

  1. Venustiano mireles

    Ay the stupid ass that recommended that you use WD-40 is not a body and paint technician Any chemicals containing silicone will give you fisheyes in the paint job when finished Use pre cleano Apply wet and leave it alone until ready to continue Then take a rag and wipe entire area with lacquer thinner Then scuff entire area with a 1200 Scuff pad Do this twice and you will get a better finish That or cut and replace metal

  2. jp

    comments refer to "acid". Is rust converter considered to be acid or is its properties different. converter products claim to leave a ready to prime and paint surface.

  3. George

    Priming bare steel immediately after stripping paint and rust is a critical step, but the choice of primer used is also a factor in preventing future rust. Some primers are not very good at sealing the surface and actually allow moisture to penetrate, beginning the rusting process again. A non-sanding epoxy type primer is best, followed by a primer surfacer which is then sanded to obtain the final smooth surface prior to applying the topcoat.

  4. rein

    use zinc chromate primer directly on the metal. metal needs 28 volts to rust. zinc only needs 18 volts to break down. also have one of those rubber straps with metal inside to constantly ground the car

  5. RO

    Rust is s Compliment on a Rambler!!!!

  6. John Newell

    There is no such thing as a 1971 Rambler Rogue in North America.

  7. Kevin L Shenberger

    That's really interesting since 1969 was the last year they made the Rambler Rogue, or any car baring the Rambler name for that matter.

  8. MARK

    I use Dupont 3158s epoxy primer for protection When ready to paint, I use regular primer over it

  9. Maynard Keller

    That car is a 1967 Rambler Rogue. I know because I have one in Sun Gold with a factory 343 engine.

  10. Sherril Stolworthy

    Buy some POR15 it works great but you must follow the directions, it comes in different sizes so get enough the first time.