How to Clean Up Rusted Floorpans

[FLRover]

Ok Experts,


I’m restoring an old Rover that has rusted floorpans, I’ve never delt with rust before as I’m in Florida. My goal on the floorpans is just to get them cleaned to bear metal, patch the holes and get them painted with a primer then couple coats of paint.

What is the best way to get the rust brushed off? I’m thinking a 4in side grinder and wire brush? Thoughts? I tried a wire brush on my drill and just didn’t get the results I wanted.

 

[Evilunclegrimace]

Buy a replacement floor pan, cut the old one out and weld the new pan in. You will be done faster and have a better repair that will last.

 

[FLRover]

Buy a replacement floor pan, cut the old one out and weld the new pan in. You will be done faster and have a better repair that will last.

With this model replacement floorpans are not available, at least not for a reasonable cost. I wish they were but I’m not doing a ten point show car restoration and don’t want to blow $5k on just floorpans.

 

[southalabama]

Get as much rust off chemically and with wire brush. Cut and fill with new metal as necessary.

 

[ghnl]

Remove any loose rust - wire brush and oil/grease - brake clean or lacquer thinner. A rust conversion coating or POR15 actually works better if used on 'tight' rust.

 

[Sevenhills1952]

Someone may chime in on this. Many years ago a guy I knew after cleaning best he could used fiberglass sheets and some kind of liquid activator.
To me though a fast, cheap, easy fix may be just get a roll of aluminum flashing. Wear gloves! Roll it out, cut to fit, easy hammer to shape, caulk around edge, drill 1/8th inch holes every few inches, pop rivit it in place.

Sent from my SM-S320VL using Tapatalk

 

[FANTM58]

Another vote for POR-15...

 

[FLRover]

Another vote for POR-15...

So are you talking about their product like this?

https://www.por15.com/POR-15-Rust-Remover

 

[southalabama]

Yep!

 

[Kev442]

I get rid of the scale quickly using a knotted wire wheel in a grinder. It will reveal the pinholes and other defects without catching on them too much. Then you can take stock of what you need to do. You will need a good respirator and a fan blowing, a knotted wheel doesn't mess around.

 

[techieman33]

I 2nd the wire wheel. I would probably also get a wire cup. And you can get smaller ones to go in a drill to help with harder to get to areas.

 

[MP&C]

I start by checking any such area with an ice pick. Use the same motion as if you're using it on a block of ice. If it holds the ice pick, it will hold paint. If it doesn't, time for new metal, as it will show its ugly head again within 2 years.

 

[metaleltr]

Naval jelly will help get a majority of the rust off.

 

[bradpac]

Looks like you will probably be putting in new metal around most of the perimeter of that pan. Might be easiest to fab up a whole new piece.

 

[didit]

I also prefer starting off with a knotted wire wheel. It will remove all the flaking rust, peeling paint and get you to where you can see the true extent of the rust damage quickly. Usually by the time I'm ready to weld in repair panels or patches I have used everything I have, including air powered impact needle scaler, an assortment of wire wheels, grinders, cutting discs and sand blasting. What ever it takes with what I have.

By the looks of your pic, you will be better off making up a couple of replacement panels for each side of the tunnel. Under the seat will be just as bad.

 

[Tarl]

Been thinking of trying Electrolysis on a triumph spitfire I am re-doing

I don't have enough post count to direct link so I will do it next post

 

[Tarl]

This is the video.

 

[joe49]

Nice. Like that rag method.

 

[sberry]

I might wheel it off and glass it.

 

[Jazz1]

I prefer sandblasting and coAting with a premium epoxy primer. Do it once and do it right. I sandblasted every inch,,topside, underside, inside

 

[sberry]

Does he want to use it or nm make a career of working on it. The pic is what it is but I don't even see a hole in it.

 

[didit]

Just so you know. A effective fiberglass repair will not be a time saver, less work or be a permanent repair. Fiberglass will not adhere to that very well. The bottom side of that floor pan will have to be inspected as well.
If the pitted rust on the floor is not completely removed, but merely encapsulated, the high humidity in Florida will not stop the rust and it will continue to thrive under the new fiberglass.
In my opinion, the rusted sections need to be cut out and replaced by welding new steel in place. There is no quick or cheap fix using fiberglass. It would at best be a temporary fix.

 

[sberry]

If it is a show level restoration then there is a proper way to do it, if I wanted to use it would wire wheel it out, mop some primer in it with a brush, see how long it lasted. Might be able to be done by noon if I had to.
I rarely **** weld all that. I make a patch bigger about the thickest of the steel and put it behind, this much becomes a consumable when welded and the wire isn't blowing thru the crack. It's easy to grind fluch and leaves it perfect for a skim of filler.

 

[ManOnTheCouch]

Needle scaler to remove rust. Treat with rust converter. Patch hole by welding in new metal as needed. Paint with Rust Bullet.