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Wed Oct 02, 2019 6:36 pm

Just wondering if anyone has any tips for stopping rust in the rain gutters on Beetles. I bought some clear wax type stuff from Bilt Hamber (like a clear waxoyl product) which has rust inhibitors in it and have sprayed that along the seam but it a) doesn’t look great and b) I worry that water will slowly deep into it as it does kind of sit there. Surely there are better ways of stopping water eating into the seam and starting rust?

I’m getting some paint protection film on my bug anyway, so I might ask about putting that in the gutters too, if it’ll seal it.

Are there any good products people have or use? I just find myself noticing tiny little orange bits just under the seam which I assume is tiny bits of rust starting.

I want to avoid having to ever repair them as it’s a big pain!

Here’s a pic from my gallery showing them currently and the small white/orange spots you’ll notice in the picture.

Thu Oct 03, 2019 8:15 am

I recommend you go to the paint forum and ask.

Unfortunately, the visible rust is many times only the tip of an iceberg. That paint looks pretty fresh. Did you do it yourself, or purchase the car painted?

Thu Oct 03, 2019 8:29 am

I don't think paint protection film will do any good, oil or wax are the best thing to keep water out.

Thu Oct 03, 2019 8:30 am

panicman wrote: I recommend you go to the paint forum and ask.

Unfortunately, the visible rust is many times only the tip of an iceberg. That paint looks pretty fresh. Did you do it yourself, or purchase the car painted?

x2.

The rust is probably coming from inside the seam. The only real way to fix it for good is to sandblast the paint on the seam then open up the seam to sandblast the metal inside the seam. Then treat the metal, etching epoxy prime and close the seam back up, then repaint.

It is possible to sandblast without opening the seam and then treat the seam with various rust converting paint then repaint but it still may come back.

Thu Oct 03, 2019 3:00 pm

finster wrote: I don't think paint protection film will do any good, oil or wax are the best thing to keep water out.

What makes you say that?

Thu Oct 03, 2019 3:44 pm

The only saving grace is that water has a high surface tension meaning it tends to stick to things. If you get a rust preventative wax they will usually “wick” better into seams and displace any water. If the rust isn’t too excessive you might be ok.

Many of the beach 4WD fraternity here in Australia swear by the use of lanolin on their underside frames and it works exceptionally well. It might have to be reapplied regularly but if it works on salty seawater it should be ok on rain gutters.I’ve used it inside my door skins and so far so good.

Other options are Penetrol or Owatrol. This is from a UK website which might assist.

https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/owatrol-additive-for-oil-based-paints.21849/

Fri Oct 04, 2019 3:03 am

cb1990s wrote: finster wrote: I don't think paint protection film will do any good, oil or wax are the best thing to keep water out.
What makes you say that?
my understanding is the film is mainly for stone chip/scratch and uv protection. this gutter area is a join on a tight curve along a sweeping curve and I can imagine water being drawn into any gaps especially at the ends where the film cannot hug the profile. ppf is also applied using a water/soap solution so that might get trapped under it too....
oil or wax, especially thin oil (best containing vp90 rust inhibitor) will penetrate any gaps along this seam and soak into any rust and repel moisture (as per viiking). then a good thick wax on top to keep further water out.
but remember if you are keeping the car outside in the uk weather, then you can only slow down the effects of sun, rain and frost.

Fri Oct 04, 2019 4:38 am

don't forget the vertical seam on the a pillar/quarter panel too!

Fri Oct 04, 2019 6:35 am

finster wrote: don't forget the vertical seam on the a pillar/quarter panel too!

I reckon I might try lanolin! They use it on boats!

Fri Oct 04, 2019 6:39 am

not only boats
https://lansinoh.co.uk/product/lansinoh-hpa-lanolin/
:lol:

Fri Oct 04, 2019 6:51 am

Lanolin works great. It penetrates the rust and stops it from developing. It also works great as a wax on cars with worn and faded old paint. I wax both our 1200 beetle and the bus with thick lanolin (Fluid Film gel) and so far it has held up very good. I rubbed it on with a polishing pad and buffed it off with two different cloths. The downside is that the car will smell a bit like sheep for a day or two. I also tried to wax my 1302 which has shiny and smooth paint, but it did not work as good as a wax there. But for stopping rust from developing it is very good.

Fri Oct 04, 2019 6:51 am

finster wrote: not only boats
https://lansinoh.co.uk/product/lansinoh-hpa-lanolin/
:lol:

Is it really good stuff then? I could just rub it along all the seams

Fri Oct 04, 2019 7:18 am

Please supply a close up view of the rust Let us see how bad it appears. hopefully it is just a tad on the surface, not emanating from a seam.

Also what paint prep was done for the pretty blue paint (nice color by the way!) and was there extensive rust prior to painting there?

bug on!

Fri Oct 04, 2019 8:07 am

cb1990s wrote:
Is it really good stuff then? I could just rub it along all the seams

I've never seen a rusty sheep :wink:

Fri Oct 04, 2019 9:23 am

bluebus86 wrote: Please supply a close up view of the rust Let us see how bad it appears. hopefully it is just a tad on the surface, not emanating from a seam.

Also what paint prep was done for the pretty blue paint (nice color by the way!) and was there extensive rust prior to painting there?

bug on!

It was painted 15 years ago, I’m not sure what the prep was but it was a professional decent enough job.

No rust on the car before!

Fri Oct 04, 2019 9:29 am

T-F-E wrote: Lanolin works great. It penetrates the rust and stops it from developing. It also works great as a wax on cars with worn and faded old paint. I wax both our 1200 beetle and the bus with thick lanolin (Fluid Film gel) and so far it has held up very good. I rubbed it on with a polishing pad and buffed it off with two different cloths. The downside is that the car will smell a bit like sheep for a day or two. I also tried to wax my 1302 which has shiny and smooth paint, but it did not work as good as a wax there. But for stopping rust from developing it is very good.

What brand?

Sun Oct 06, 2019 5:40 am

cb1990s wrote: T-F-E wrote: Lanolin works great. It penetrates the rust and stops it from developing. It also works great as a wax on cars with worn and faded old paint. I wax both our 1200 beetle and the bus with thick lanolin (Fluid Film gel) and so far it has held up very good. I rubbed it on with a polishing pad and buffed it off with two different cloths. The downside is that the car will smell a bit like sheep for a day or two. I also tried to wax my 1302 which has shiny and smooth paint, but it did not work as good as a wax there. But for stopping rust from developing it is very good.

What brand?

The brand I use is Fluid Film. It comes in 3 different versions. It is the only brand that is available where I live but it works very good so I am not going to complain. It is also available in the UK. One is very thin and oil like and is very good for spraying the under carriage. It is also a good lubricant. The second one is called NAS and is about as thick as custard. This one also works good as undercoating. It is probably possible to spray it on but I usually use a brush wit this. The third one is called Gel and is as thick as wheel bearing grease. I use this one to wax cars with worn and patina finishes. And on small blemishes and rust spots on the outside of the car body.

Tue Oct 22, 2019 11:45 am

T-F-E wrote: cb1990s wrote: T-F-E wrote: Lanolin works great. It penetrates the rust and stops it from developing. It also works great as a wax on cars with worn and faded old paint. I wax both our 1200 beetle and the bus with thick lanolin (Fluid Film gel) and so far it has held up very good. I rubbed it on with a polishing pad and buffed it off with two different cloths. The downside is that the car will smell a bit like sheep for a day or two. I also tried to wax my 1302 which has shiny and smooth paint, but it did not work as good as a wax there. But for stopping rust from developing it is very good.

What brand?

The brand I use is Fluid Film. It comes in 3 different versions. It is the only brand that is available where I live but it works very good so I am not going to complain. It is also available in the UK. One is very thin and oil like and is very good for spraying the under carriage. It is also a good lubricant. The second one is called NAS and is about as thick as custard. This one also works good as undercoating. It is probably possible to spray it on but I usually use a brush wit this. The third one is called Gel and is as thick as wheel bearing grease. I use this one to wax cars with worn and patina finishes. And on small blemishes and rust spots on the outside of the car body.

Are your cars kept outside all year round?

Tue Oct 22, 2019 12:05 pm

The cars that Are covered in Fluid Film lives outside from April to November. The rest of the year they are hibernating in a barn.