Posted by steve p on Monday, November 24, 2003 at 2:02AM :
Hi there,
I've been reading this forum for several years, and enjoying it immensely, even though my 79 power waqon isn't a "real" one like those beautiful trucks you all have. I'm struggling with what to do (or not do) about the surface rust on the hood and cab roof. To try and keep it in check, I tried sanding the roof as best I could, then priming and painting using home center automotive spray paint, but rust started showing through again within the year. I live in a condo and can't do any major work myself, and to have someone else do the job right would cost way, way more than I would ever want to put into this aging beast.
What is the best lifetime I can expect from a shoddy spray can paint job (the truck is parked outside in coastal Southern California)? Is it worth trying again, but making sure I get down to bare metal? Will doing an acid treatment before priming help? If I do nothing more (the most likely option), how many years before surface rust eats through?
steve p
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