TTownThomas

Couldn't resist. Got the car home yesterday and couldn't sleep one night without some disassembly. Battery box has some rust. I'll be cleaning it up (vacuum up the crap) tonight and will take some better pics. it doesn't look that bad. I know it can go either way from this point

six gun

Where is the rust?

TTownThomas

fullquack

There is a great product out there that is available at most automotive paint supply houses. This product is called "Rust-Mort", it is a blueish-greenish-clear liquid, that is as thin as water.
Simply wire brush off any heavy rust flakes, then simply apply with a cheap paint brush, in a thin wetting coat. Within 24 hours, it dries to a hard, black, paintable surface.
This stuff just plain stops rust in it's tracks, you can use it as a permanent cure, or as a stop gap until you can address a full redo.

Mark

TTownThomas

That stuff sounds great. Should I cut holes in the battery box to get underneath to assess the damage and treat it?

Mark Houghton

I've used that stuff before (probably a different brand name) that I got at a auto parts store somewhere. Works great, chemically converts the iron oxide (rust) into something non-rust and seals the area. Paint over it and you're good to go.

TTownThomas

I cleaned up the area and got down to the real issues. In these two photo's the rust areas are circled in red





And if I look in these holes I see:

Orange: very light surface rust
Blue: no rust
Red: corroded metal




I poked all around with a punch and can't find any soft spots.

I'm trying to figure out what to do.

My inclination is to wire brush everything I can get to and pour POR15 down the holes.

Then use rust inhibiting primer and paint on some undercoating...

Mark Houghton

If it's not rotted through (it sounds like you're just dealing with surface rust) then do as you planned. But WTF is POR15?

Just this morning I went down to the local O'Riley auto parts store and bought some stuff made by Permatex...Rust Treatment #81775. I've used it in the past but ran out and had a rusty project to do today. The stuff is applied with a paint brush or sponge, will turn the rust black in a few minutes, and dries to a solid rust-proof coating that you can paint over. Good **** Maynard....

Be sure to wire brush all the loose stuff off, then hose it down, then sprinkle baking soda (or any basic solution, sodium hydroxide, whatever)...work it in...let it neutralize the residual battery acid....flush with water again...let dry....then go after it.

skipp

I recently used por15 on a similar situation on my Alfa with good results

TTownThomas

I used a wire brush on a drill to clean it up.



I ended up using rust oleum "rust reformer". So I could spray it into the holes and crevices I could not reach. I was afraid a pourable solution would not get into the right places.

Will finish up tomorrow

Last930

It doesn't look all as bad once cleaned up with the wire brush as it did in your first pictures - that's got to be a relief!

TTownThomas

No Doubt I was relieved. Still have to wonder if there is some I cant see but I certainly gave it a good new finish.

Time Will Tell

six gun

AHaaaaaa Welcome to the world of Porsche Paranoia.....

TTownThomas

Fortunately, since this is my third bout with porsche paranoia since 1999, I know what medicine to take. Hopefully my Valentine 1 can keep the doctor away!

Last930

How did your project come out? What did you use to match the paint in the battery area?