On 04/02/2013 09:52 PM, Steve W. wrote:
Nate Nagel wrote:
Hi all,
am thrashing on Jeep again... vehicle is mostly rust free
(surprisingly, since it's from PA) but I've started ripping the old
rear bumper and gas tank skid plate off so as to install a new rear
bumper that isn't made from poop and fail, and has proper D-ring tabs
and a Class 3 receiver for it.
So far, I've managed to destroy everything that I needed to and
nothing that I didn't want to, so I've got that going for me.
However, as part of this exercise, me being as I am, all of the little
bits that came off that need to go back on I would like to have
cleaned and painted so that they won't be overly rusty (or just plain
gone) in another 14 years when I take it apart again (or more likely,
my cousin's little son, who thinks this Jeep is the greatest thing
since sliced bread, does.)
My usual weapon of choice is the magic derusting tank, the
electrolytic thing that if you haven't used yet, you should.
Basically just take a large plastic (non-conductive) container, a
piece of scrap steel, some water, and a little bit of washing soda to
make the water conductive, hook your 12V power supply or old battery
charger up to the scrap (+ive) and piece you want to clean up (-ive)
let sit for a few hours et voila. Nothing short of miraculous.
Well, that alone caused an issue, I've been using the crap out of the
thing and I'm nearly out of washing soda. Apparently Ace Hardware is
the ONLY store in my area that sells it anymore - I called or stopped
by all of the grocery stores, big box hardware stores, Target,
Wal-Mart, etc. - no can do. But at least I have some, and also found
a pool supply place that will sell me some soda ash if I go back with
a container (which I probably will, because they're much closer than
the nearest Ace.)
Next issue - the gas tank skid plate. It's far bigger than my
container, and even just the flanges where the rust is won't fit in.
So I figured I'd drop back and mechanically remove as much as I can
(angle grinder, then wire brush) then finish with some phosphoric acid
solution e.g. "Metal Ready" or similar and just use some rust-oleum
rusty metal crap which I normally hate because it's so soft but hey,
it's not going to get damaged and I'll just coat it with roofing tar
anyway where it mates to the frame rails.
Issue: Phosphoric acid, "metal ready" etc. seems to also be similarly
off the shelves of anywhere that I'd expect to find it. I did pick up
a jug of something called "Evapo-Rust" we will see how that works out
but I have to admit that I'm awful skeptical of anything that I
haven't used before because nothing that I've found ever seems to work
any better than the two old reliables, phosphoric acid and the
electrolytic tanks.
Where are you guys finding phosphoric acid, or are you all having the
same problems?
I'm starting to think that $250 for a shiny new skid plate, while a
lot of money, might not be exorbitant considering the PITA that this
exercise is turning out to be given all the time that I've spent
trying to find supplies and not waving a spray bomb or turning
wrenches...
nate
Nate you have been walking right past TONS of washing soda in the Wal~Mart.
Target as well. It is cleverly hidden though. Go to the pool chemicals
and look for a product called pH Plus. If you want a larger amount hit a
pool supply place. It is 99-100% pure Sodium Carbonate aka Washing Soda
aka Soda Ash.
yeah... local stores don't have pool chemical section. I did find a
local pool supply that will sell me some however so that's fixed, I just
need to run back there someday with a container because the guy was cool
and was going to sell me some but couldn't find anything to put it in.
I buy it in 40 pound bags for my tanks.
Phosphoric acid is available at most body shop supply places.
I buy it from a local outfit in plastic 5 gallon pails and mix it down.
I have seen it at the local Home Depot. Sold as a concrete cleaner.
I've already tried the Despot, my local one doesn't sell it for some
reason. closest auto body supply is about an hour's drive away, but I
might need to make the pilgrimage
Theoretically West Marine (not
that much more convenient, about a half hour drive) carries Ospho, but
they're out of stock...
Evapo-Rust works but you need to soak the part in it for it to work very
well, and warming it helps a lot. I use it for small stuff. Doesn't
stink like most other methods.
Oh if you want a CHEAP and easy large tank there are a couple options.
One buy one of the cheap kiddie pools and use it. OR take a chunk of
pool liner fabric and a few pallets and toss together a tank. I did this
with a small trailer frame. Oh and don't forget you could do it one half
at a time!
yeah I know but currently I'm renting so this might cause issues...
I'm still surprised that this is so hard to pull together... doesn't
anyone work on their own stuff and clean and paint as they go anymore?
Honestly, I was thinking this would be one of those deals, run to the
store, pick up some Ospho, brush, rinse, rattle can, done. Not so much...
nate
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