Restoring Rust Pits

C Bridgers · Feb 23, 2009

I'm restoring a '58 model 140 which has alot of rust and pitting all over the tractor. After wire brushing all the paint off down to bare metal, will Bondo hold up to the heat and vibration on parts such as valve cover, oil filter cover, and oil pan? Any advice or short cuts will greatly be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

a.c._hd6g · Feb 23, 2009

it should hold. i dont see why not, its been used on autos for ages.

rustyfarmall · Feb 23, 2009

Yes, it works good. Just keep in mind that Bondo will not add any strength, it just fills up the pits and makes it look nice.

I bleed IH red · Feb 23, 2009

The bondo should be ok, i used very little on my tractors and its done good. I have learned while building my hotrod truck, 1948 Chevy pickup, a product called One Step. It"s made by Marr Hyde that kills any old rust thats left behind. Granted it wont stop new rust but it will keep the old ones coming though on the sheet metal. There are lots of products like that on the market as i would recomend to be used.

GordoSD · Feb 23, 2009

You are leaving a lot of rust behind with that wire brush. You need to treat that metal with a product callled, "Metal Prep. Get it at your local body shop supply house. It has a little phophoric acid in it. Apply, then wash off then epoxy prime. Then your bondo.

Gordo

PaulW_NJ · Feb 23, 2009

You've gotten some good advice. The problem with just cleaning the surface down to shiny metal is that there is still active rust down in the pits. If you don't kill that, it will eventually rust back thru whatever you lay on top. Sandblasting will dig out the pits, but it's pretty risky on sheet metal, and can deform it. Electrolysis works the best if you have access to it. The phosphoric acid route works . . . Picklex20 is often used by auto restorers. Check out this site. Home Depot carries a similar product at less cost called "A Must for Rust"
auto body rust repair

garytomaszewski · Feb 23, 2009

A lot depends on how much work you want to do. Phosphoric acid to convert the rust to black oxide, then a good fillier primer, sand smooth, the another layer of primer/sand until pits are filled with primer, allow PLENTY of drying time then paint.

GeneMO · Feb 23, 2009

I could see maybe working on the oil filter housing as it is thicker, but the oil pan and valve cover are so thin is there a danger of the pits being nearly all the way through? Replacement oil pan and valve cover might be in order.

There are special primers that are made for filling imperfections. Can't remember the names, maybe glennster will come on here. He would know. Wanting to say "fill n seal" or something.

Good luck,, Gene

Zach Bouchard · Feb 24, 2009

On sheet metal with smaller pits I paint it with filler primer and sand it. and keep doing this until the pits are gone. But if they are bad you might want to buy replacements. On things like a seat pan or a piece that is not holding anything it doesn't mater but you don't want to risk having a blowout.

Restoring Rust Pits

C Bridgers

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