I was wondering what is the best method to restore some of the rusted metal on our travel trailer. Should I use a wire brush and rattle can, or do something else?

I used to paint a lot of steel, some of it similar to the rusted surface you have that were at one time painted. What I found that worked best was to mechanically remove the rust with a wire wheel, then treat the remaining surface rust with a phosphoric acid based conditioner. Lately, I've been using water softener cleaner or dehumidifier cleaner because it's cheaper than the commercial products and nearly as effective. After the surface is rinsed and dried, I apply the best steel primer I have around. Today, that would be Sherwin-Williams DTM Industrial primer. Finish coat is usually an enamel, the epoxies or urethanes are the most durable.Most of the rust in your pictures looks like light surface rust. I'd be tempted to try the conditioner, first, it may remove most of what you have. If not, you can go back with a wire brush or wheel and get the reamining heavy stuff. Some of the specialty coatings like POR-15, are really good for frames and undercarriage. The durability can be outstanding.

wire-brush the loose stuff off, rust converter then a top coat. I personally use POR-15, but others will work. I've actually found the POR-15 to be permanent.Brian

POR-15 needs to be painted as it is not UV resistant (says so right in their lit and website). If you use Rustoleum Stops Rust, bear in mind that a wire brushing is likely all you need. It works best with a light amount of surface rust. Since rust is simply metal oxidizing, you need to stop the air/water from reaching the surface of the metal. Paints can become porus. Use several coats and keep touching it up. POR works so well because it is a thick product. It is also very expensive and messy. I has gotten a small amount from them. I was not terribly impressed with it for the money spent. As with any paint "Prep is everything". For some of your stuff (like the jack pads) would a brush on truck bed liner be better (once you get rid of the surface rust of course)? I'm not sure a "one product fits all" would apply in your case.

Ospho available at Sherwin-Williams. It's what is used by the professionals. Stops rust in it's tracks and you paint right over it. :)

Best method to restore rusted metal? | Good Sam Community

mosseater
Explorer II
Apr 29, 2014
That's not rust, that's "patina". Just Mother Nature doing her job. I've had decent luck with Restore and similar products. Wire brush the worst off, hose with some brake cleaner, then hit with Restore and your fav top coat (Rustoleum?). It's quick, cheap, and holds up pretty well for 3 or 4 years. Nothing if forever.
Brett_K
Explorer
Apr 29, 2014
I have tried POR-15 and also Eastwood rust converter and their frame paint. I prefer the Eastwood products. The POR-15 would go on too thick and make your jack difficult to operate.
Tequila
Explorer
Apr 28, 2014
I use rust mort which is usually behind the counter as it is a heavy duty chemical. It will react with the rust, sandblast and paint with epoxy paint as mentioned above. That looks like salt air damage.
Bill___Kate
Explorer
Apr 28, 2014
I have had decent luck with Rust Oleum Rust Reformer in the spray can. Our stabilizer jacks and stairs tend to develop surface rust like yours, so I get underneath once or twice a year and touch up the bad spots. I would hit the worst rust with a wire brush first time around.

Rust Oleum has a similar product that is available at most hardware and big box stores that works pretty good but the V2100 System is industrial grade and seems to hold up better. I have seen it at specialty paint stores, but usually order it by the case from Granger or McMaster Carr to get a better price. We live by the beach, so we have to stay ahead of the underneath of everything - trailer, truck, cars, tools, etc.
Lyrikz
Explorer
Apr 28, 2014
dieselenthusiast wrote:
Lyrikz wrote:

As a guy who has restored quite a few vehicles from the frame up and used many different processes. NOTHING, NOTHING beats sandblasting the effected area, then adding a couple coats of epoxy paint. It will last as long as you do.

Is epoxy paint something that I can rattle can, or is it a product that needs to be professionally sprayed?

Hmm. Not professionaly, but you need a paint gun. You can get a paint gun for relatively cheap. You do mix it. But its like an egg shell.
Amazing stuff.
I epoxied some bare metal that was rusted/sandblasted and then painted. Outside in the seattle rain for 7 years. Not even one sign of rust.
dieselenthusias
Explorer
Apr 28, 2014
Lyrikz wrote:

As a guy who has restored quite a few vehicles from the frame up and used many different processes. NOTHING, NOTHING beats sandblasting the effected area, then adding a couple coats of epoxy paint. It will last as long as you do.

Is epoxy paint something that I can rattle can, or is it a product that needs to be professionally sprayed?
Lyrikz
Explorer
Apr 28, 2014
dieselenthusiast wrote:
I was wondering what is the best method to restore some of the rusted metal on our travel trailer. Should I use a wire brush and rattle can, or do something else?

As a guy who has restored quite a few vehicles from the frame up and used many different processes. NOTHING, NOTHING beats sandblasting the effected area, then adding a couple coats of epoxy paint. It will last as long as you do.
tvman44
Explorer
Apr 28, 2014
Wire brush the loose stuff off, then Ospho let dry throughly then good primer and paint. Will last for years. I did this on some heavily rusted farm equipment several years ago and still looks pretty good. :)
dieselenthusias
Explorer
Apr 28, 2014
westend wrote:

Some of the specialty coatings like POR-15, are really good for frames and undercarriage. The durability can be outstanding.

I've heard a lot of good things about POR-15. I haven't personally used it, but others have said it's good stuff. The frame and undercarriage still looks good, but I'm going to keep POR-15 in mind for future prevention and/or restoration.
dieselenthusias
Explorer
Apr 28, 2014
USARMYCW wrote:
Ospho available at Sherwin-Williams. It's what is used by the professionals. Stops rust in it's tracks and you paint right over it. :)

Good info. Thanks!