Since my free time is limited, I work sporadically on my 69 firebird project. I'm trying to get it into primer before winter since all of the steel work is done. I don't want to mix up 100 batches of SPI epoxy primer to get everything primered along the way. My plan is to get the door jambs and trunk in primer first, then install the fenders, hood, trans am spoiler, and trunk lid. THe car currently has a quicky coat of epoxy primer on it that the previous owner applied that needs to be stripped (most of the steel work was done by the PO). Once the body panels are stripped I'll primer those and be ready for filler work. My question is: since I won't be stripping everything and primering the same day, what can I apply to the metal to keep it from flash rusting? Will a thin coat of WD40 work. Everything will be wiped down with SPI water based wax and grease remover prior to epoxy.
WD 40 is Horrible to prevent rust. Gibbs Brand is better. No Silicone.
What we have been doing so we don't have to blast the car twice and thin the metal is paint strip the car Chemically in the beginning. Perform all you mods and then send the car out to be blasted and epoxy primer in one shot. This ensure no rust is missed in the primer process to rear it's ugly head in the future. Another method is to Acid dip the body in the beginning with a good stripper who knows how to Neutralize the body after the dip and then Perform all your work. We have found not blasting the body slows the deeper rust build up because the sheetmetal is not rough and open up like blasting does.
I did some work on the drivers side door jam last night and put a light coat of wd40 on it. I ordered 4 cans of the preventative from Rad Rides by Troy today. WHen it gets here I'll degrease and apply Troy's stuff. $58 + Shipping for 4 cans.
Gibbs is a very good product, I use it on all my bare metal projects plus on all my shop equipment that has exposed bare steel. I have Gibbs available through my shop as well......704.450.0607
I have some bare suspension and body pieces in a non-climate controlled garage that have been sitting since Christmas 09 and they are like day one. The only thing I did was wipe them with Picklex 20.