98 Bluebird TC2000 Conversion: 2 Feet Roof raise 3 Slideouts

[Vlad]

I have some silica fume left since I rebuilt my boat. I used it to thicken polyester resin. Silica fume is very lightweight very thin and very inert. I mixed some up with vinegar and spread over very rusty piece of metal. Tomorrow I will see how it all be....

[Vlad]

So, I mixed silica fume with vinegar and spread over very rusty piece of metal:




I left piece of metal in vertical position outside. It is very warm and dry outside right now. Here is the next day:



It did affect the heavy rust, but it dried out to quickly... I decided to use the same mix, but covered it with plastic poly. Here is what happened in the morning:



This is after washing it off with warm water and plastic brush (no heavy scrubbing)



This is not bad at all for such a heavy rust, which I didn't even touch.

I think if I mix silica fume with vinegar to make it sprayable consistency I will be able to spray frame over every few hours and It will work great.

The other thing I am going to test is oxalic acid with silica fume and also phosphoric acid with silica fume.

Phosphoric acid is a rust inhibitor and I will use it before protecting steel anyways.

[thjakits]

Wow!!

So - ...white vinegar and anything that keeps it on the metal!!


thjakits

[Vlad]

Originally Posted by thjakits

Wow!!

So - ...white vinegar and anything that keeps it on the metal!!


thjakits

This is very true....

The best way is to submerge it but I think I will need a very very big tub to submerge my bus frame, so, dancing around will be necessary....

I ordered some oxalic acid on eBay. It is dirt cheap and people say it works even better than vinegar...

Oxalic Acid 99 5 5 lbs Metal Cleaning Rust Removal with Free Scoop | eBay

Let's wait and see....

[Tango]

I've been working with a lot of hot rolled new steel that has sat in Houston humidity with predictable results. Lots of surface rust on top of mill scale. The only thing that has worked for me so far is Muriatic acid. I have a flat bottom tray that most parts will fit into...leave it for 15-20 minutes and you come back to very clean metal. Just be sure...A., not to breathe it or get it on you...and...B., rinse & dry it thoroughly. It quickly removes both the scale & rust.

[Dragonpop]

One other item you might try is cleaning vinegar. It has a higher acid
content than regular vinegar.

[sojourner]

Ditto on what Tango said for heavy rust removal on heavy pieces. If yu do want a stronger white vinegar (Acetic acid), Sam's Club sells 10% in 55 gallon drums. The last one we bought for use here on the farm was only $75.00. If we want 5% for household use we simply dilute half in half with water. I've used it for cleaning rust from the inside of a fuel tank (didn't want to take a chance on eating through the sheet metal with Muriatic Acid). Muriatic Acid (dilute HCL (Hydrochloric acid)) can be some nasty stuff but is very useful in the hands of someone who knows what they're doing and respects it. The fumes can liquify the linings of your lungs so make sure you're using it in a well ventilated place with the proper safety gear (gloves, apron, safety glasses, etc...). ALlso, it's a good diea once rinsed off with water to neutralize a bit with either baking soda or soapy water and then rinse to stop the working of any residue on the part. Steel is, after all, porous.

[aaronsb]

My first go-to for heavily rusted parts, at least parts with some weight to them, is a needle scaler, followed by rust-mort. (Rust-Mortâ„¢ Products | SEM Products)

[crazycal]

Originally Posted by aaronsb

My first go-to for heavily rusted parts, at least parts with some weight to them, is a needle scaler, followed by rust-mort. (Rust-Mortâ„¢ Products | SEM Products)

Looks like Ospho.

[rvingoffgrid]

Originally Posted by steve.c

I'm looking forward to seeing some photos...

must be a lot of fisherman in here hence the picture rule!

[Scooternj]

Originally Posted by rvingoffgrid

must be a lot of fisherman in here hence the picture rule!

It's the internet. If there are no photos, it didn't happen

[crazycal]

Originally Posted by Scooternj

It's the internet. If there are no photos, it didn't happen

Werd........

[Tango]

And if there ARE pix...they were probably PhotoShopped.

[thjakits]

Hi Vlad,

how ist goin', these days?!

Any news on the "Super Bus" ??


Cheers,

thjakits

[dan-fox]

Inquiring minds want to know.....

Between you, aaronsb, and wmkbailey I've just gotta get a bus and start! Or I'm going to do a roof raise on my Jetta.

[jthntrmn]

What an amazing thread! You have raised the upper limit of conversions to the stratosphere! Well done sir, well done! If my conversion is a 10th as good as yours, I'll be ecstatic!

[BlipOnTheRadar]

I happen to NOT be converting a bus, but building a lightweight trailer. I am still in the ideas stage, but as it will be hauling my mistress' as well as me sleeping in it at night, I needed ideas for added room, insulations, power supplies and all of the rest. I flat got hooked on the craftsmanship in this thread. I can't wait to see and hear the rest of the tail. Thanks !!!

BlipOnTheRadar

[nat_ster]

Originally Posted by BlipOnTheRadar

I happen to NOT be converting a bus, but building a lightweight trailer. I am still in the ideas stage, but as it will be hauling my mistress' as well as me sleeping in it at night, I needed ideas for added room, insulations, power supplies and all of the rest. I flat got hooked on the craftsmanship in this thread. I can't wait to see and hear the rest of the tail. Thanks !!!

BlipOnTheRadar

Welcome

Head on over to the build thread section and do some reading. You will find all you need to know there complete with pics.

I would only read threads 15 pages or more long.

Asking question will only get you opinions, not true experience and knowledge.

Nat

[BlipOnTheRadar]

Thank you Nat_ster. I am taking everything i see with a grain of salt. I look at one person does, then go and research it. Hey, there is always more than one way to skin these cats. Right? Thanks for the pointer, heading there now..

[100MPG]

Originally Posted by thjakits

Hi Vlad,

how ist goin', these days?!

Any news on the "Super Bus" ??

I just got here but want to see the finished product! What a great job so far, judging by the images.