TheSamba.com :: View topic - How to protect bare metal during the extended body repairs

Tue Feb 05, 2019 4:22 pm

I’m the typical DIY guy with time and limited money to repair and repaint my Type 1.

I am working on sections of the body cutting out rust, using the grinders and hammer and dollies to get my body repaired. This will take many months before I can send it to a professional shop for a proper restoration.

What can I use to protect the paint after it’s got down to bare metal if it’s going to be months before it can get painted. I will phosphoric acid treat all the metal to give it some protection but what paint can I use.

I live in a residential area (in Australia) and whilst I have spray equipment I believe I cannot use any 2 part paints due to EPA regulations so I guess epoxy primer is out of the picture. My research says not to use normal primer because of the paint

Wed Feb 06, 2019 12:42 pm

I am using a phosphoric acid based product from Eastwood.com called After Blast. Products like Ospho or Kleen-strip Prep & Etch will serve you just as well. The Phosphoric acid will etch the metal and create a protective coating. Most of these products will also contain Zinc based protective components. As long as the metal is protected from the elements you should be able to get a few years of protection from one application. One additional benefit of these products is that they will convert microscopic rust formations into inert Iron Phosphate which will show up as black spots or splotches.

- Make sure you remove as much rust as possible before applying
- Check with your paint vendor for compatibility and use instructions before applying. Some epoxies and primers will only play nice with certain products employed with specific application techniques.

You can spray or brush the product onto the metal then wipe off the excess. I found that brushing the product onto the surface produced less waste and collateral damage. I usually do three or four apply-wipe cycles per panel or area. I use a cheap nylon bristle brush to apply and an equaly cheap microfiber towel to wipe off the excess. I periodically rinse the towel under the garden hose to get rid of the shmutz picket up from the metal.

Another use case is letting the product soak into seams and hidden areas. Be cautious when using the product in this manner since any acid that does not fully "dry" can weep out later and ruin the paint.

Here is what treated metal (in Gray) looks like after several months in the garage

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Emil