The rust converter is a good idea - but =
unless you
seal the seams with something like an epoxy primer or POR 15 - the seam =
sealer
or vinyl caulk is not going to do the trick.
I recently stripped all the paint on =
the van, from
the armpits down, using aircraft paint remover. Stuff works great, and =
Ouch!
hurts when you get some on your skin.
I then used POR Marine Clean to =
degrease the
surface, then used POR Metal Ready to prep and etch the surface .(just a =
high-priced rust converter).
Then I sprayed POR 15 Grey over the =
bare etched
metal. I gotta say folks - it looks superb just like that. It is so =
glossy it
has a true mirror finish - like glass. Lexus and Acura's don't have that =
kind of
deep reflectivity. Got comments from people on how did I get that
finish.
Ever seen the Audi TT in that grey =
colour that
looks like primer? That is what this looks like, only the POR has a =
better
shine.
Thing is - POR degrades with UV =
exposure, so I have
to top-coat it. It'd be nice to put a clear-coat over it instead, but =
I'll save
that for the next vanagon I get (someday).
In any case, those body seams are, from =
the outside
at least, sealed rock solid now.
Marshall Ruskin
84 Westy "Iron Igloo"
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2001 =
11:46
AM
Subject: Seam Sealer removal =
Tool
Hi Volks,
Today I started on seam rust repair.
I tried to use a Utility Knife to get =
the old
seam sealer out. Kinda slow going......So I have a small Makita =
hand-held
grinder with a metal cutting disk laying around the shop. Whoa, =
worked
excellent.....the disk follows the groove of the seam. Just had =
to dig
the little sealer left in the bottom of the seam out with the mini =
utility
knife.
Put some Eastwood Corroless rust =
convertor in the
seam with a plastic model paint brush. Now to let it dry over
night.
Did it all to the sound of Dylan's =
Street Legal
CD. ( Obligatory Non-Vanagon content : )
Mark Ingalls
Nebraska City,
Nebraska
85 Vanagon GL =
'Airheart'
75
Beetle 'Salvation'