Trunk rust -- how to fix? (Pics inside)

[iamadonut]

Hi,

I'm a newbie and I just bought my first classic stang a week ago -- a 1970 coupe. It's in pretty good condition with just a few problems, one of them being rust on the gas tank and in the trunk area.

(If the photos don't show up, you can see more at this link)

There's rust on the body sheet metal in that last photo, but it's hard to see.


How should I fix this rust? Is this something I should be worried about? I'm not too concerned with the gas tank since I can get a new one, but should I worry about the rust on the body?

Thanks for your help, guys, I'm sure I'll have more questions for you...lots more questions.

If you want to see a few more photos of the car, just click here

 

[MustangPaul]

I'd get a new tank and start sanding on the surface rust. You can primer it so it won't rust again. If you are worried about primer in your trunk, you can shoot some paint over it until you can get it properly painted.

--P

 

[iamadonut]

Thanks for your help MustangPaul!

What kind of primer should I use? And should I be worried about primer in my trunk?

I'll try sanding down the gas tank to see if I can get the rust off, but if its in bad shape I'll just replace it.

Thanks again,
ian

 

[Ozsum67]

I'd do some light probing with an ice pick to see how solid the tank is. I think it can be saved. You're going to have to sand it though. That may create problems with fire. Ground the tank well useing some jumper cables onto a water line or anchor bolt. Have MEGA ventalation going in the form of a forced air fan flooding the trunk area. The sparks from the power sander on it's armature may light you up. Use any primer you like, but know that laquer primer is not rust proof, so if you use it, apply paint soon after.


One more thing, fill the tank with gas....to the rim. A full tank has less vapors than one that isn't. It's the vapors that go BOOM, not the gas.

 

[MustangPaul]

What I'd do it drop the tank out completely before I started on the trunk. That way, you can stand in there while you work. As for primer, if you just need to rust proof it for awhile, any primer in a rattle can will do.

Ozum is right. Watch out for sparks.

 

[MustangPaul]

Whoa. I just reread your followup, donut. I'd ditch the tank and replace it. Replacements are readily available for not much--or much cheaper than replacing a car from fire, or a stint in the burn unit.

I don't play with gas tanks. Replace 'em when they get bad.

--P

 

[jikelly]

Hey what about sanding it down and getting some Por 15 to seal it. Thats what I did to my trunk and it turned out really good. I think someone did a post on it a while back so do a search for trunk repair. I think por 15 is too short to search for directly on the forum.

 

[MustangPaul]

I've used POR before and I like it. The only thing that you have to watch out for is, I believe, ultraviolet rays break it down. If it sees lots of sunlight, paint over it.

Doesn't one of the parts place make a spray zinc in a rattle can for the gas tank? Eastwood, I believe. I wonder if you could por the tank and that rattle can zinc it and have it look mostly stock?

Who knows?

 

[iamadonut]

Hey guys, thanks all the help.

I think I'm just going to replace the tank. Third degree burns...well, just not my thing.

I've read about this POR stuff before. I'l pick up their starter kit and see what it's all about.

So can I just take the tank out, sand down the trunk and apply POR? Should I sand down everything and apply an even coat or just sand the portions with rust?