Topic: Bad couple of years...

[68OrangeCrate]

I'm throwing this one out to the wolves:  I'm embarrassed to say that I let my '68 GT/CS sit for a few years with the front clip unpainted in my garage in southeast Texas.  It looks fine... Obviously, the unpainted metal is a medium dull grey - no orange rust.  However, I know that I should have primed it immediately.  Now that my life has settled down, after a lot of heartbreak, I want to get back on this project.  Q: Will I be able to sand and treat the metal well enough since it sat for so long?  I'm this close to parting the car out.  I'm ready fir the verbal punishment 😆

[carlite65]

yes i believe it will be ok with a good metal prep and removal of the rest of the items. if rust has not penetrated the metal go for it.

[CharlesTurner]

Ospho with scotchbrite pad will take off any surface rust/corrosion. 

[Bossbill]

When you get tired of trying to remove rust by hand but want to leave the surface ready for primer, try Carborundum Fibratex (aka 3M fiber discs:
removed incorrect link -- see below )

I use them in variable speed air grinders or really fast drills.
I've stripped entire cars (incl paint) with these.

I gather your intent is not concours?

[RoyceP]

It looks salvageable to me. I would use Scotch Brite pads (red) in a pneumatic sander then treat the bare metal with a phosphoric acid-based paint prep like Prep Sol or SX579. Then wash it per the directions, dry it, wipe it down with wax / grease remover and prime it with DP40LF right away.

I'm throwing this one out to the wolves:  I'm embarrassed to say that I let my '68 GT/CS sit for a few years with the front clip unpainted in my garage in southeast Texas.  It looks fine... Obviously, the unpainted metal is a medium dull grey - no orange rust.  However, I know that I should have primed it immediately.  Now that my life has settled down, after a lot of heartbreak, I want to get back on this project.  Q: Will I be able to sand and treat the metal well enough since it sat for so long?  I'm this close to parting the car out.  I'm ready fir the verbal punishment 😆

[carlite65]

When you get tired of trying to remove rust by hand but want to leave the surface ready for primer, try Carborundum Fibratex (aka 3M fiber discs:
https://www.amazon.com/3M-03172-Rust-Paint-Stripper/ )

the link does not work for me.
I use them in variable speed air grinders or really fast drills.
I've stripped entire cars (incl paint) with these.

I gather your intent is not concours?

[Bossbill]

Corrected link:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=3M+7772ES+Paint+and+Rust+Stripper&crid=1TEYWGGXR79MX&sprefix=3m+7772es+paint+and+rust+stripper%2Caps%2C140&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

They come in mandrel built-in, hole in center for your mandrel and roloc.
There are grit options in the Scotch versions as well.

If you do use a drill, go for at least 3000 rpm. Air is preferred but you need to throttle down the speed or they fly apart is you hit a sharp edge in the wrong direction.

[RoyceP]

Your link gives a whole page of results. The ones I like are the 3M Roloc discs on that page, but I get 25 of them for about 1/2 that price from my local surplus dealer store. I use a 90 degree air motor from Harbor Freight.

Corrected link:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=3M+7772ES+Paint+and+Rust+Stripper&crid=1TEYWGGXR79MX&sprefix=3m+7772es+paint+and+rust+stripper%2Caps%2C140&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

They come in mandrel built-in, hole in center for your mandrel and roloc.
There are grit options in the Scotch versions as well.

If you do use a drill, go for at least 3000 rpm. Air is preferred but you need to throttle down the speed or they fly apart is you hit a sharp edge in the wrong direction.

[68OrangeCrate]

Thanks to all!  I'm not one to give up on anything... I'll get after this thing with the 3M pads and metal prep.  Then I'll start posting updates.  This is a project that is near to my heart.  I want to finish it as a good example for my boys (and, to preserve a piece of history).

[68OrangeCrate]

Ospho with scotchbrite pad will take off any surface rust/corrosion.

Thanks!  I'm ordering some Ospho on Monday!

[Bossbill]

Your link gives a whole page of results. The ones I like are the 3M Roloc discs on that page, but I get 25 of them for about 1/2 that price from my local surplus dealer store. I use a 90 degree air motor from Harbor Freight.

I usually get the 3M version in the multipack from the paint store.
The page was meant to give the OP (and others) a variety of versions depending on their equipment. I like the roloc too, but I use the bigger ones if I'm doing a large area.

I got tired of cheap air motors and now use the Astro ONYX Composites series.
Since I have various mandrels I have two of the 90 deg and one straight so I don't have to stop and change them out.

[68OrangeCrate]

Just a quick "Thank you" to the group...  My Ospho was delivered and im going to town...😎