I have a small amount of rust "stains" in my trunk. I call them stains because they are ever so slight and appear to be only on the very top surface of paint.

Before I touch these areas up with paint whats the best way to prevent these spots from bleeding thru and preventing them from turning into something horrific?

thanks in advance

I used a die grinder with a metal wire brush, then I painted the entire tunk with POR15. This product is actually made to be painted right over the rust. Next I need to prime, spatter paint and clear coat. Good Luck

The best solution is to bring it down to bare steel. I guess that is what Pete is suggesting with the wire wheel. Wear eye protection if you use a wire brush in a die grinder. One wire breaking off could pierce an eye.

If it's only rust bleeding through the paint, I would consider chemical stripping of the paint. After that follow up with chemical cleaning of the rust with a phosphoric acid product. If it's deeper rust, consider abrasive blasting. That's a last resort because the grit will collect everywhere and it's difficult to clean out of an assembled car.

Once you have bare steel, there's really no reason to use a paint over rust product. Automotive epoxy primer followed by your top coats will give lasting protection. Epoxy can be rollered on in a pinch and the job can be completed with rattle can products, though that is not my first choice.

It all starts with solid bare steel though. Painting over bleeding rust will have the rust coming back.

Another thing to investigate is that these trunks start rusting after the rear window pinch weld or gasket leaks water into the trunk. Look for leaks.

I did the Pete method too. Power wire brushed all the rust that would come off, POR-15, primer while the POR-15 was still slightly sticky, trunk paint, then clear coat. Came out great.

Mike,

Harbor Freight has wheels that I've used that work great. I can't rember what they are called but I can descripe them to you. They are orange and come in a molded plastic package, they sell for 2.99. I'll check when I get home I may still have one in the tool box.

sounds like its a coupe?

if you have only "stains" , you`re lucky...many have to replace trunk b/c of leaks...
but since you are not having issues, no use to go thru the list of possible leaks....just clean it up POR it , paint...youll be done...

I did the "Pete Method" as well, exactly as he describes. Mine came out great.

John

If you take it down to the metel you have to etch it before using POR15.

its a convert.

i can only imagine the "stains" are from water being left under the trunk mat after being washed from the previous owner. since the restoration the car has never been out in the rain, its garage kept.

sounds like i'll use the "pete method"

thanks again

Ditch the trunk mat to! I had to take care of pin holes due to one of those.