[dotcentral]

I have some bare metal parts I need to prep for paint. What is a good, easy to find at Lowe's or Home Depot product to use? Or something else easy to find and apply? This is for chassis parts and valve covers.

 

[1965coupe]

diesel fuel

 

[Blue Fastback]

There is a product called metal Prep. It is an acid that is good for cleaning metal Also Naval Jelley but I have never used it. I think HD sells Naval Jelly. Metal Prep is from the paint store.

 

[1 Bad 88 GT]

Are you wanting to etch them for better paint adhesion or just clean them up before shooting them?

 

[rayell]

On clean bare metal I wipe down with Phosphoric Acid before priming. It is available at auto paint stores under different trade names.

 

[dotcentral]

The first batch of parts I cleaned up were disc brake shields, pedal hanger, misc fasteners. I figured they are not very visible, so after removing the rust I washed them, wiped them down with acetone, and sprayed rustoleum rust converter on as a primer, followed by rustoleum satin black. Hopefully the finish will last, but not quite so important.

I have some stock valve covers I want to clean up. These I am more concerned about a nice, lasting finish. So definitely I want to do a good metal prep for a long lasting finish on the valve covers.

_________________
1971 Sport Custom Shortbed Project Truck. 302, 4V, Performer intake & cam, shorty headers, Duals, AOD. Hope to have running in March

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: dotcentral on 3/12/06 8:24am ]</font>

 

[rayell]

I think you are doing good

 

[v8shadow]

How do you feel about sandblasting? Seems to me there is no better way to "prep" metal than blasting the rust off and etching the metal with the blasting. Lots of rough surface for paint to adhere to. Now valve covers I dont know. I would think a real fine grit sand in the blaster, or blast it with 80 or so grit in the blaster and then go over them with a higher grit sandpaper to get the smoother surface for paint shine. Comments anyone?

 

[dotcentral]

I think your right, it would give a good texture for the paint to stick to. I have two problems with sandblasting. One, I don't have the equipment, so I'd have to pay someone to do it. Two, for something like valve covers, I'd always be nervous that I didn't get every last bit of grit out of a baffle and someday it is liable to get into the engine. Probably a little overly paranoid about that one.

 

[thekingofazle]

Eastwood has some good stuff that works well, just a Metal Prep solution - they give you a small bottle and it makes like a gallon, just add water. A little scrubbing with steel wool and most surface rust comes right off. I've also had great luck with just cleaning parts with a wire wheel on a grinder. Did my axle housing that way, looks brand new.

 

[v8shadow]

You know, I forgot to mention the baffles. Yeah, cover the inside. You do not want to sand blast that side at all for many reasons. I cleaned up a valve cover's mating surface with a 6" steel wheel on my bench grinder and it warped the valve cover just enough to make it F***ing leak! I was just learning then though. I realize a brass wheel in an 8" size would have been much less harsh. Oh well.