I actually prefer to wait more than a few, but not very long, say 10-15 minutes total. When you’re done with your surface prep and you’re absolutely certain it’s entirely rusty, apply a thin coat of Rust Reformer with either a brush or a spray gun. Remember, it’s never going to cure fully if it’s not applied to rust only. It’s the only way to make sure the polymer epoxy in the Rust Reformer is going to cure fully and provide the protection and finish necessary to last. You’re wanting to make absolutely certain that every bit of the surface you’re going to treat is very well rusted. Once you’ve got a relatively smooth surface, make sure to inspect it closely. The only thing you’re doing here is knocking down some of the high spots where rusty flakes or bubbles have started to lift. If the piece is small enough, for instance a brake drum or a wheel, you can even use a hand brush. To prep your surface, a wire brush is sufficient, preferably at low speed. Rust Reformer and other rust converters are NOT to be used on surface rust! With this in mind, it should be pointed out that if your surface does have any decent metal showing, then you need to use rust encapsulator to seal the rust in, or try to remove it entirely using a rust remover and a lot of elbow grease. If there is any bare metal, any kind of other material such as rubber, oil, paint or any other chemical, the Rust Reformer’s polymer epoxy component will never cure to hardness. I mean entirely rusted, and the flakier or heavier the better. Not just a little rusted, and I don’t mean a little shiny metal showing through. When using Rust Reformer the entire surface to be treated MUST be entirely rusted. This product is not to be confused with another class of rust treatment called “rust encapsulators” that essentially seal the rust in, keeping oxygen from reaching the corroded site anymore. There are several considerations to keep in mind when applying Rust Reformer, or any other rust converter. Rust-Oleum Rust Reformer is the real deal, kids. I can’t really say it any better than that. “At the end of the accelerated weathering only the samples treated with Rust-oleum® Rust Reformer® showed no or only slight signs of any failure and no active corrosion.” The results? Here is a direct quote from the NCPTT: A more recent study by the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (based on the earlier CCI study) compared Rust Reformer with four other rust converters. This isn’t the only study to prove the virtues of Rust Reformer. For me, the main drawback of Conquest is the fact that it’s based on a high concentration of sodium hydroxide, which is extremely caustic, requiring extensive protection including a respirator and one-piece chemical suit that covers the head, eyes, hands and face. Conquest is far more expensive than Rust Reformer. The third chemical is called Conquest from Eco-Lab, also known as Chemsearch in Canada. One was Rust-Oleum Rust Convert, the forerunner of Rust Reformer. After the steel plates had rusted long enough, CCI tested an assortment of nine different rust converters and found three to stand above the rest. CCI placed steel plates outside in different locations across Canada, including Halifax on the Atlantic coast. The Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) performed a study from 1987 to 1992, comparing several different new rust converters. Expert Analysis: Rust Reformer vs Other Rust Converters You don’t have to take my word for it, though. In every case it performed exactly as described by the company. I have used the Rust-Oleum Automotive Rust Reformer on frames, chassis components, exhaust manifolds, engine blocks, bumper mounts, axles and other parts too numerous to recall. I say this based on dozens, if not hundreds of applications in a commercial restoration shop. Rust-Oleum’s Rust Reformer is just about the best rust converter out there, in my opinion. This treatment also contains a large-molecule synthetic polymer epoxy that combines with the chelated rust molecules to create an impenetrable, durable surface that will last indefinitely. In the case of Rust Reformer, the basis of this conversion is tannic acid. Certain acids will combine with rust at the molecular level, creating ions that become suspended in solution. So, how does this stuff work? Rust Reformer chemically treats the rust through a process known as chelation. It’s not only compatible with automotive paints but works under lacquer and oil-based industrial paints as well. No specialized safety equipment such as a respirator is necessary to use Rust Reformer. The product is water soluble and odorless. According to the company’s product description, Rust Reformer bonds with the rusted metal, changing it chemically which protects it and leaves a paintable surface. Rust-Oleum calls its brand of rust converter Rust Reformer.
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