Any advice on how to use Zero Rust Prep Step Gel?

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duffontap

duffontap

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I went into the local Englund Marine the other day and asked if they carried Zero Rust Prep Step. The guy took off and came back a couple minutes later with a gallon of Prep Step in a green gel formula that he says was discontinued by Zero Rust. He said I could just have it.

Now I can't find any directions for using the gel. Has anyone used it? Can I dilute it in hot water and spray it on panels? I don't want to brush it on as I'm afraid of leaving brush strokes in the base layer.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. :cheers: JD
 
Did a little experimenting with the gel this morning. It turns tight rust black pretty fast after wire brushing. I can apply it with a rag and get a smooth surface but I'm a little nervous about using it in places where it could really show. I think I'll order some of the dry concentrate and do the spray bottle method to prep the surface for the zero rust base primer.

My plan is to get a clean, mostly rust free surface, prep with prep step, apply a couple mills of red oxide ZR, follow with black ZR, block sand and top coat directly over that with my Acrylic Enamel. Any thoughts or precautions? Should I use a standard, high-build primer between the ZR and Acrylic Enamel?

BTW, I'm using ZR because I live on the coast and my FJ40 currently has the original paint with surface rust in places where the paint has worn through so I need a proven barrier right on the substrate.

Again, thoughts, precautions, advice, welcome.
 
I did the whole floor of my LV with Zero Rust. Did a coat of black then Red Oxide then black then white. The different colors were mainly for contrast during applications. Top coated body color without using primer, but don't know if that's the correct way or not. Happy with it. I think it's a good product, easy prep and application. Hope it holds up.

Will be starting some rust repair on my FJ55, including stripping and painting the floor. Will probably do the same thing. Don't think I'll use primer this time either, unless someone chimes in with additional info. :)

Hope this is helpful.
 
I should add, my main concern with sanding the ZR is that it is rated by thickness. If I block sand the ZR, theoretically I'm sanding years off the life of the finish. Makes me wonder if I should just use a gray, high-build primer over the ZR in large areas that I want to block sand smooth. Of course, I never end up having the patience to block sand anyway when I actually get to that point in the process. :)
 
I hear ya on the sanding and the never ending rust demons. :)

I don't see why there would be a problem with priming before painting as long as the primer is compatible with ZR.
 
Too bad. Who knows how long it's been sitting around, could have lost its potency? At least it was free.:) I received their powder prep free with my order way back when, but used Eastwoods PRE metal cleaner since I had it on hand. Worked ok for me.

I think it's just to make sure all grease, wax, etc. are cleaned off the metal for good adhesion. I'm pretty sure their Prep Step isn't necessary for the ZR to do its thing, just clean steel.
 
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