Ensuring Proper Paint Prep for Automotive Rust Bullet Application: Key Tips and Considerations

Sep 5, 2024 | Automotive Rust Inhibitor | 0 comments

If you’re preparing to spray automotive Rust Bullet on your vehicle, ensuring proper surface preparation is crucial for achieving a smooth, durable finish. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you get the best results.

  1. Removing Existing Paint and Rust

You’ve already stripped the existing paint and removed rust using a rust chelator like Rust911. This is a great start. Ensuring that all rust and old paint are completely removed will help the Rust Bullet adhere properly.

  1. Flushing Out the Rust Chelator

To make sure all of the rust chelator is flushed out, you plan to use a sodium polysilicate solution. This is a good choice, as sodium polysilicate acts as a corrosion inhibitor and helps prevent flash rusting.

  1. Compatibility of TSP and Sodium Polysilicate with Rust Bullet

It’s crucial to ensure that the cleaning agents you use are compatible with Rust Bullet, a moisture-cured urethane. Here’s what you need to know about using Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) and sodium polysilicate:

Trisodium Phosphate (TSP)

  • Residue: TSP can leave a residue if not thoroughly rinsed off, which can interfere with the adhesion of Rust Bullet. Ensure you rinse the surface thoroughly with clean water.
  • pH Level: TSP creates an alkaline environment. It’s important to neutralize the surface pH after cleaning. You can do this with a mild acidic solution (like diluted vinegar) and rinse with water again to ensure neutrality.

Sodium Polysilicate

  • Residue: Similar to TSP, sodium polysilicate can leave a residue that may affect adhesion. Thorough rinsing with clean water is essential.
  • Film Formation: Sodium polysilicate can form a thin film on the surface, which should be removed before applying Rust Bullet.
  1. Best Practices for Surface Preparation

To ensure the best results, follow these best practices:

  1. Rinsing: After cleaning with TSP or sodium polysilicate, rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove all residues.
  2. Drying: Allow the surface to dry completely. Rust Bullet is sensitive to moisture, so ensuring the surface is completely dry is critical.
  3. Surface Preparation: Lightly sand the surface after cleaning and rinsing to ensure good adhesion. Be sure to remove all sanding dust before applying the coating.
  4. pH Check: Ensure the surface is pH-neutral before applying Rust Bullet. Use pH test strips if necessary.
  5. Testing Before Full Application

Before applying Rust Bullet over a large area, conduct a small test patch to ensure there are no adverse interactions and that the urethane adheres well to the cleaned and prepared surface.

Consult the Manufacturer

It’s always a good idea to contact the manufacturer of the cleaning products to confirm their compatibility with moisture-cured urethanes like Rust Bullet. This can prevent potential issues and ensure a smooth application process.

By following these steps, you can minimize the risk of interactions and ensure a durable, high-quality finish with Rust Bullet. Proper preparation is key to a successful coating application, and these guidelines will help you achieve the best results for your automotive project.

To order Rust Bullet products, visit www.RustBullet.com.  If you have any questions about your project, feel free to contact us at info@rustbullet.com or call (800) 245-1600.