I have seen references to using a black spray paint/rust inhibitor.  The hitch in my truck bed has rust in several places, and it seems to be spreading so I know I must do something soon.  How do I treat it, i.e., what do I use to sand the rust down, and what kind of paint/rust treatment should I use?  Does this come in colors other than black?  I also notice some places, mainly under the slides, that are showing signs of rust, and I'd like to take care of this.

gypsy

Gypsy....I use Krylon paint on my hitch and it works great. I use the black primer before I put on the top coat. Follow the instructions on the can..it will tell you how to prep the rusted surface. You are correct keep those metal surfaces painted and don't let that rust get too bad. It is not that hard and it makes for a better looking finish. Watch that overspray and don't get it on your truck or RV....especially on anyone elses!!! Speedy

Gypsy97, I use a rust converter first. You can get it at auto parts stores or hardware store. First you get rid of the loose rust by sanding or brush with a steel wire brush. Then brush on the rust converter. The rust converts to a primer. A couple of coats of Krylon paint and you won't see any rust for years.

Rusoleum makes a spray on rust converter now. It is black. Works well. Available at Home Depot or Lowes.

Is surface rust something I should worry about? I have lots of it on the underside of my Winnebago motorhome, and it's irritating, but I wonder if I should relax, or should I go after it? Roy

Highway Ranger, I've seen lots of vehicles with lots of surface rust travelling around the country with no apparent stuctural problems. However, any kind of rust is always eating away, it doesn't stop. Surface rust will continue to eat it's way through the metal. It can become a problem depending on the make up of the metal. We spend a lot of time at the beach, the frame of our fifth wheel is spotty with surface rust. The seams on the cab of my old truck developed a really bad rust due to leaking roof top clearance lights. The sal****er had gotten in between the inner layer and the outer roof and began eating from the inside. I started seeing pin holes, one day I was able to push my finger through the outer roof. I've stopped all of that with the rust converter. It's best to get rid of it. The rust converters work real well and then use a rust protective paint. It takes about four easy days to do the underside.

I went out and bought the Krylon primer and paint, but now I'm hearing "rust converter".  Before I start anything, I'd be interested in knowing if it makes any difference which one I use.  I will have to scrape and sand the rust off in any case, from what I understand.

My original question was about the hitch, but I am noticing small rust spots on my fiver as well.  Would the primer/paint work equally well on these spots as the converter/paint?

gypsy

-- Edited by gypsy97 on Monday 20th of April 2009 12:27:22 PM

-- Edited by gypsy97 on Monday 20th of April 2009 12:27:42 PM

Use the rust convertor before painting. You need to wire brush any heavy rust, flakes, dirt, etc off first. Then wipe down the area to be sprayed. Wear safety glasses/goggles and a mask since the rust convertor (neutralizer) is an acid. Apply it per the directions. Once it has dried as specified you can prime and paint right over it. The stuff works great. They key is to remove any heavy rust, flakes and dirt so you are attacking the rust at the root. Good luck and be safe.

If you paint without using a rustoleum-like primer PLUS removing as much surface rust as possible (a lot of work) then you are wasting your time - although you will delay more rust by perhaps a year or so.... The best method is to remove any loose rust - a wire brush on a drill works well. No need to get to bare metal, just get the worst of it off. Then spray with the rust converter, whichwill also act as a primer. Youcan add a Rustoleum like primer over it, but it is not necessary. Then top coat with several thin coats of Rustoleum in the color of your choice. This method works well. The ultimate rust fighter is POR, though. Google it. I don't think it is necessary on most RV projects, though, if you do the above.

Jack, do you know anything about Rust Bullet?  It looks pretty good.

Roy

No, I don't. There are lots of rust products out there. Most of them probably work well....but I don't know that one.