I'm interested in what others have done to the smuggler's box to protect from rust. It looks like Ford used some form of undercoating. I'm not excited about scraping that and prepping the metal. I'm considering Cavity Wax and some sort of Rust Encapsulator like POR-15 or Rust Bullet. The prep for wax wants all surface rust removed, so I think that's out....I've never used POR-15, but I have used Rust Bullet....I'd have to remove all of the undercoat...which is a similar job to the surface rust, just less of it, I suppose. What have you folks done?
We use Rust Mort at my shop. It's available at auto paint suppliers or maybe online . A good scrubbing with a wire brush on a drill Then brush it on. Don't spray it It's nasty stuff. let it set Then top coat. Watch youtube. It soaks into the pores of the metal to neutralize the rusted metal. If body filler were be applied on it, a coat of primer would be needed on it so it would stick. It's runny enough to get into the seams. Had better results with it than Por15. Por15 just seals the rust under a coating to keep the oxygen off , a scratch can let rust start again. a
I used Rust Mort on a Bronco I had back in the 90's. Kindof a turquoise blue liquid? I think I might still have a tiny bit of that bottle left! lol I had forgotten about that stuff. Thanks for the reminder.
Before applying a top coat, do you rinse or scrub the treated surface? I'm not able to take the garden hose to it and thinking I can use a spray bottle of water and a scrub brush to remove any residue. I used the stuff about 30 years ago and can't remember what I did, lol.
There is a you tube video that shows how to use rust mort. Google up rust mort. He does a great job of how to. A good soap and water to clean it and then prime and paint.,.
