Rust around hinges and screws

[brookewrangler99]

Hi,
I am new to cars and wranglers and have some questions concerning rust.

I live near the gulf and some rust spots have cropped up on my ‘99 TJ Wrangler Sahara. Any recommendations about how to treat these spots, and prevention in general?

Thanks in advance!

 

[steelhd]

In general rust is like cancer. It needs to be 100% removed mechanically or "loose" rust has to be removed mechanically with the remainder converted with phosphoric acid. If not it will return. Remove the fasteners, treat mechanically and chemically, then repaint the area. Where you have the crack it needs to be ground out and welded.

 

[brookewrangler99]

In general rust is like cancer. It needs to be 100% removed mechanically or "loose" rust has to be removed mechanically with the remainder converted with phosphoric acid. If not it will return. Remove the fasteners, treat mechanically and chemically, then repaint the area. Where you have the crack it needs to be ground out and welded.

Thanks for the reply! Any recommendations on products to treat the fasteners? And, is there anything I can use on the spots where the rust has “run”? It looks like it’s just stained paint and not the metal underneath. Just don’t want to have to repaint the whole area it I don’t have to.
Thanks!

 

[Goatman]

The normal cause of this is the PO removed the screws, cracking the layer of paint that protected them. You can remove them 1 at a time replacing them with new and then painting the new screws. Remove as much rust as you can from the screw holes, apply a rust converter with a small brush or Q-tip. Apply a good coat of antiseize to the threads. Use touch up paint or mask the whole hinge to re-spray.

 

[steelhd]

Thanks for the reply! Any recommendations on products to treat the fasteners? And, is there anything I can use on the spots where the rust has “run”? It looks like it’s just stained paint and not the metal underneath. Just don’t want to have to repaint the whole area it I don’t have to.
Thanks!

Treatment is phosphoric acid. Either straight or in a naval jelly type rust remover found at any hardware store.

 

[TJ4Jim]

This will remove any rust without affecting paint, couple of hours soaking is all it takes.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Evapo-Ru...2Z-Sackj0PUOmR_44PhF0BTiI6uvyugAaAsSdEALw_wcB

 

[Midwest]

This will remove any rust without affecting paint, couple of hours soaking is all it takes.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Evapo-Ru...2Z-Sackj0PUOmR_44PhF0BTiI6uvyugAaAsSdEALw_wcB

I wonder if this stuff would work on the inside of a frame? Plug any drain holes and let it sit for a day then drain and coat/fluid-film.

 

[TJ4Jim]

I wonder if this stuff would work on the inside of a frame? Plug any drain holes and let it sit for a day then drain and coat/fluid-film.

Been using the stuff for years and it will do most any rust removal, no reason it would not work. Saw a demonstration using a tarp and a sump pump connected to a shower head that provided a constant flow to clean an entire frame.

Only problem is a large number of Jeep frames would vaporize if all the rust was removed. LOL

 

[jsmusic]

TJ4Jim, know of any options that don’t require soaking / removal?

 

[steelhd]

TJ4Jim, know of any options that don’t require soaking / removal?

Huh? All methods either convert or remove the rust.

 

[steelhd]

 

[HandOverFist]

You can go back with stainless hardware and forgo the painting.