Rust on tub rail

al07

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I have a rust spot on the tub rail, probably caused by moisture under the hard top. The tub is generally in good shape.
What's the best way to stop for this smallish spot? Wire wheel to bare metal and then paint on top? Or is there a more conservative way?

Thanks!

20221113_073050.jpg
 
I have a rust spot on the tub rail, probably caused by moisture under the hard top. The tub is generally in good shape.
What's the best way to stop for this smallish spot? Wire wheel to bare metal and then paint on top? Or is there a more conservative way?

Thanks!

View attachment 376516

There’s two spots there where it’s bubbling. I’d sand it till I removed all the rust. The rust is probably under some of the paint that looks good, so it will be a larger area when all is said and done. Blending it all in is a task that requires patience and know how with varying grits of sandpaper extending into the surrounding good paint. My trouble is always getting it level when building it back up with a primer filler. Then top coat and 2K clear and wait a couple of weeks and polish out any overspray and blend it all in.
 
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There’s two spots there where it’s bubbling. I’d sand it till I removed all the rust. The rust is probably under some of the paint that looks good, so it will be a larger area when all is said and done. Blending it all in is a task that requires patience and know how with varying grits of sandpaper extending into the surrounding good paint. My trouble is always getting it level when building it back up with a primer filler. Then top coat and 2K clear and wait a couple of weeks and polish out any overspray and blend it all in.

I totally agree. Once you start removing the rust, the areas of concern will likely grow. I would remove the rust completely by sanding and then clean your surface and hit it with a rustoleum etching primer. Topcoat and clear.

Depending on what you want the finished product to look like, you can try to just limit the fix to the areas of concern. but often as @JMT said, that is tricky and can take longer than just refinishing the entire rail.
 
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Thanks for the suggestions!
I'm not sure if I'll have the time to commit to sanding and painting the full rail as I'm ready to put the top back on.
What would be the minimum critical work to do? Sanding and rust encapsulate? Then priming, painting and clear coat next spring?

Alternatively, how bad would it be to leave it as it is for the winter and postpone the work to next spring? Not sure how fast rust spreads, considering that the Wrangler will not see much rain at all in San Diego, and it will be parked in the garage overnight.
 
Thanks for the suggestions!
I'm not sure if I'll have the time to commit to sanding and painting the full rail as I'm ready to put the top back on.
What would be the minimum critical work to do? Sanding and rust encapsulate? Then priming, painting and clear coat next spring?

Alternatively, how bad would it be to leave it as it is for the winter and postpone the work to next spring? Not sure how fast rust spreads, considering that the Wrangler will not see much rain at all in San Diego, and it will be parked in the garage overnight.

I guess if you are really short on time, the minimum I would do would be to sand it and touch it up with some black Rustoleum.
 
I’d start with trying to determine what caused it and stopping it from happening again, unless you believe it came from previous ownership.
This is most likely from previous ownership since I've been owning the wrangler for just a few months and the rust was presumably there already (noticed only when I took the top off in June).
Carfax shows it's been in Oklahoma, Colorado, and finally California.
 
Thanks for the suggestions!
I'm not sure if I'll have the time to commit to sanding and painting the full rail as I'm ready to put the top back on.
What would be the minimum critical work to do? Sanding and rust encapsulate? Then priming, painting and clear coat next spring?

Alternatively, how bad would it be to leave it as it is for the winter and postpone the work to next spring? Not sure how fast rust spreads, considering that the Wrangler will not see much rain at all in San Diego, and it will be parked in the garage overnight.

I’d sand it , wire brush it , use 2 coats POR 15 Gloss black, install top and start over next spring if constrained on time I think.
 
Ultimately I might would use a textured finish on the entire rail or the plastic rail kit- but stop that rust first -
 
Thanks for the suggestions!
I'm not sure if I'll have the time to commit to sanding and painting the full rail as I'm ready to put the top back on.
What would be the minimum critical work to do? Sanding and rust encapsulate? Then priming, painting and clear coat next spring?

Alternatively, how bad would it be to leave it as it is for the winter and postpone the work to next spring? Not sure how fast rust spreads, considering that the Wrangler will not see much rain at all in San Diego, and it will be parked in the garage overnight.

You could just leave it till spring. It probably won’t progress much. If you want to be proactive sand those spots to remove all the rust and use some rust preventative. Then you can get it properly fixed next spring.
 
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You could just leave it till spring. It probably won’t progress much. If you want to be proactive sand those spots to remove all the rust and use some rust preventative. Then you can get it properly fixed next spring.

I ended up sanding the rust spot and cover it with some Rust-Oleum I had on hand. It doesn't look too pretty, but I hope it'll do the job till next spring.

The whole rail looks pretty scratched up from removing and reinstalling the hard top. What would be your advice for something a bit more durable that doesn't show scratches this much, once I get to do the work next spring?

20221115_181822~2.jpg
 
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I ended up sanding the rust spot and cover it with some Rust-Oleum I had on hand. It doesn't look too pretty, but I hope it'll do the job till next spring.

The whole rail looks pretty scratched up from removing and reinstalling the hard top. What would be your advice for something a bit more durable that doesn't show scratches this much, once I get to do the work next spring?

View attachment 378252

Have PPF installed on the top of the tub where the hard top sits. Someone who does ppf might do it. Might not if it’s the only thing you’re wanting ppf’d.

But certainly worth the ask.
 
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