Rust Preventative Paint

Back when I started cleaning up rust and restoring classic cars about 20 years ago, even before I was introduced to sandblasting, I would sand or wirebrush away rust, apply a rust inhibitor product such as Loctite Extend Rust Neutralizer and Permatex rust treatment, then paint over it. That stuff somewhat worked temporarily but it never really held up. In the end, it was wasted time, effort and money in my mind.

It wasn’t until some years later that I learned of this product called Chassis Saver which can be found here. You may have heard of it or used it, but if you haven’t, I wanted to introduce it to you too because you will appreciate it. I wish I knew about this rust paint when I first started. It really is impressive at sealing and eliminating rust. Plus, it provides a durable, hard, long lasting finish. Some people call them by names such as: anti-rust coatings, rust encapsulators or rust inhibitors.

This paint-over rust coating works so well that you might not even have to use a sandblaster to clean rust off external metal parts. Even if you want to sandblast all the rust off, then paint it with this product, even better!

Follow the below steps when using this paint:

1. Wirebrush loose and excess surface rust off the metal. I prefer using a angle grinder (like these sold here) with a solid wirewheel cup brush attachment (like these here). You can quickly run over rust with this setup in a short amount of time with less of a hassle in comparison to sandblasting. My only problem is I tend to be a perfectionist in spending too much time wirebrushing items and overdoing it which usually isn’t necessary with this paint.
2. Wipe down the metal surface with a rag and cleaner to remove any dust and oils.
3. Then paint the metal with a light coat of the rust encapsulator such as Chassis Saver. Since the paint is thick, you have to thin it to spray paint it. We usually just use a brush and the coating actually looks nice.
4. Apply second coat. The manufacturer recommends applying another light coat to ensure every area is fully protected. I can sometimes get away with one good coat if everything looks covered well.

There are other brands for this type of paint:

• Chassis Saver: Since this is the brand that we have been using mostly and has been holding up, we recommend this brand.
• POR-15: A family member used this and they told me if it wasn’t as good as Chassis Saver, it was almost as durable. I am not a 100% sure if it is as good or if it could even be better.
• Rust Bullet: this is by far the worst and one of the most expensive. We realized the surface seems to start fading and deteriorating away after a few months.

Tips for Using this Paint

Since this stuff is so tough and adheres strongly to anything it touches, I recommend you follow the below:

• Divide into Smaller Cans– If you aren’t using the whole can within a day or week, we realized it is best to pour larger quantities into multiple small pint or quart sized paint cans. If it isn’t all used up within a certain time, it can start to dry up in the can.
• Protect the Can Lip– When you open the lid to begin painting, the paint will seep in the lid sealing area of the can and it will adhere the lid to the can so well, that you won’t be able to reopen it in the future. It is recommended that you twist a paper towel and press it into the can sealing area, then remove it before placing the lid back.
• Use Inexpensive Disposable Brush– Since this paint is thick and hard to clean, we recommend not dealing with cleaning brushes. Instead use inexpensive brushes such as chip brushes which can be found here and throw them away after each use. You can find a pack or 24-36 for less than $15.
• Use Gloves During Use! If you get this paint on your hands and dries, it is very hard to remove. It can stick to your hands for days to over a week.

Have any questions about this type of paint or reviews on a product that you tried? Please leave a comment below. Thanks

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