Ok. I got a "project" GXL and when I got home I looked underneath and noticed rust all over :| I dint check for rust before I bought it because this is southern california and rust isnt that big of a problem and the car had 102,xxx miles. So I check it out more and notice more rust so Im thinking HMMMMM what happened here. Popped the hood and see a cold start assist bottle. That got me thinking where the car came from. Well I found a sticker that says Mazda/VW OHIO

Sooooooo how do I get rid of rust? I was thinking about replacing all the rusted parts with new/used ones but I have rust on way too many things and thats going to cost $$$$$$$$$$. HELP ME JEEBUS!

 

hahaha

I'm sorry, this whole situation sucks and all, but that line made me laugh.

What parts are rusting? If the rust hasn't eaten all the way through whatever it's on you can simply sand it off and home there's enough metal left to still use the part. If there's rust eating through the frame you're probably in trouble.

 

"This car going to be a daily driver or a race machine of some sort? If it is a daily driver and you don't care about a little more weight (I know, it is a RX and weight will matter regardless), sand it all off and use a little undercoating. That will ensure that it doesn't start again. I live in MI so it is a necessity living here with a yearly coating of road salt to keep my RX tucked in the barn for winter, but it does miracles at repelling new rust."

- Jeebus

 

The car is going to be my daily driver. On the weekends it turns into a mountain racer (the cause of the death of my SE ) I really dont mind a little more weight (as long as its not a violent amount). From what I saw, the rust hasnt eaten through the metal yet. Some of the parts that are rusted are: differential housing, rear sway bar (paint chipped and rust took over the paints job), the sub frame has some rust but it doesnt look that bad, and other little pieces under the car. So sanding the rust will work? Thanks

 

wan, sanding off the rust and then undercoating is guaranteed to be the end of your car ! What you need is to wire brush (then sandpaper if you wish), degrease with lacquer thinner and apply Por 15. Take a look at www.por15.com. After using many different products on undercarriages through the years nothing compares to Por 15 if it isn't a show car. Use cheap brushes (they are only good for one application) and good gloves with shitty clothes (long sleeve shirt) because if it gets on your skin it stays on until the skin goes ! Too bad you didn't look under the car before buying. This stuff with your labor will save it.

 

88and93,

Isn't that suppose to be applied on top of the rust (according to their website)??

 

vaughnc, it is best to rough it up (wire brush, medium to coarse sandpaper) and degrease it first. It is not expensive, a quart goes a looong way. I highly recommend transferring it into several small glass jars with ziploc or similar plastic between lid and jar. This stuff is like epoxy paint except it isn't two part, no mixing.

 

cool! I may have to try some of that stuff and hope the rust dies. Thanks

 

a little rust is normal on ANY car. they just get that way...

welcome to ohio, where if you dont hose off you car every week-2 weeks in the winter it becomes an oxidated pile.

scott

 

POR-15 is the only thing for rust. I spent 20 years in Alaska, most of it on the water(salt water) and its the only thing that works!