I have been spending a lot of time under my 1954 Pathfinder. I have been wireburshing and scraping the gunk and dirt. Once I have it free of stuff (I am not taking it down to metal), is there anything I should do? Is WD40 an OK protector until I can get down to the metal and undercoat the whole thing?
FYI - there is still original paint on the underside - so rust is minimal.
If you can still see original paint, and you don't plan on ever driving it in the wet, then just wipe everything down with some mineral spirits to get it even cleaner looking.
Realistically though, any kind of ground moisture will attack all the seams and anything exposed, so a quality oilspray probably wouldn't be a bad option. Just a quick shot on just the underbody seams and chassis, then another wipedown of the larger surfaces to leave just a light film. This way it will still look nice, and keep the dirt buildup to a minimum.
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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
I have nothing to do w/ the rustproofing business but back in the 80's I met the Canadian pilot/chemist who invented the products used in aircraft to stop corrosion between aluminum and other materials.. We had many discussions about the rusting process and I learned much from him about it and how it applies to cars.. So please understand the opinion to follow is personal and nothing to do with this site, it's owners, moderators, members or anyone who may bear any resemblance to them living or dead!.
Aircraft derived ACF50 and Boeshield are the best products to stop the corrosion process.. Next to that, less expensive and better w/ older vehicles is good old RustCheck which is actually ACF50 in an automotive formulation.. RustCheck is best on older vehicles rubber parts too unlike the knock off wanabee brands which often cause havoc w/ rubber parts.. The earlier the vehicle the higher genuine rubber content is so keep this in mind w/ vintage cars.. Products like Krown or other oil spray products will help w/ rust but if you're going to spend the dough on anything why not buy the real stuff?! Yes even though Krown is a well marketed product and sponsors of Dream Car Garage, their product is actually a wanabee and the company originally started by a bunch of disgruntled RustCheck dealers who wanted to cut down on the $ of product cost.. If you don't believe me or have never tried it, go to Crappy Tire, buy a spray bomb of RustCheck and just test some yourself!. Good luck!
-- Edited by Ghost Post on Wednesday 18th of March 2009 04:50:47 PM
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I like real cars best...especially the REAL real ones! ----------------------------------------------------------------
that sounds like a good idea I saving all my used oil.. I was going to spray it all over bottom of rust free Ventura II and then drive down a gravel road to cover it all with some dust and dirt...
I look for freshly tarred roads. Spray side of car with baby oil, including wheels and tires, then drive in reverse with tires spinning. Lots of fun. All my used oil gets added to 79 Buick.
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1967 Parisienne 2+2 1967 Grande Parisienne
1967 Laurentian 1967 Strato Chief
Remember, "The Government" only has money confiscated from us.
I am a firm believer in Rust Check. I get both my daily driver pickup trucks done on a annual basis. The $100 per vehicle is well spent. Every spring I also shampoo engine compartment , light compound and wax the vehicles. Than early fall get the Rust check done again. I will admit the chemical always seems to bleed out of the seems and crevases especially the tailgate area and it makes the truck look sort of dirty but that is a small price to pay for the protection it provides.
I'm dong mine with POR15 so far so good. It going to be a driver so just keeping what I have solid is what's important for me. You can scuff por and repiant right over it any colour you wish. I'm going to do my shocks this way and repaint them the GM blue that they were. But when I do a frame off its powercoat for sure.
