trunk liner

[peterm]

Took my car out for a little "cleaning" lifted my trunk floor mat and I have some surface rust to deal with on the matte black painted surface.  Must've had some moisture trapped there-   any suggestions as to how to address this?

[badali]

I put POR 15 on mine.  The color is close to the original and you can't see it under the mat when it is done.  Clean the surface with a wire brush on a drill and vacuum and wipe with paint thinner before applying.  After the car is washed or caught in the rain I check for water in the trunk and dry as needed now.  No new surface rust has appeared in the 2 years since I did mine.

[dseretakis]

I always like to remove any trace of rust where possible.  In this case remove all rust with wire wheel or whatever abrasive means you wish.  Then apply naval  jelly as many times as necessary to remove all traces of rust from the pitted areas.  Follow this with POR-15 and then a topcoat to match the matte black trunk floor.

[69280sl]

"...necessary to remove all traces of rust from the pitted areas."

From what I remember about POR 15, it needs some rust to convert and adhere to.

Gus

[graphic66]

You need to etch any painted, or clean metal surfaces for the POR 15 to adhere to it. I always etch the final surface before using it no matter what. If you want to paint over POR 15 you need a "tie" coat over it or your paint won't stick.

[dseretakis]

"...necessary to remove all traces of rust from the pitted areas."

From what I remember about POR 15, it needs some rust to convert and adhere to.

Gus

Yes, it needs rust or a "seasoned" bare rust-free metal surface.  In my experience, naval jelly will season the metal but to be safe I always follow the instructions that POR15 provides to a tee.  So, basically clean the surface with Marine Clean and follow it with their metal prep solution, then apply the POR15.  After a few hours, usually 3-4, when the POR15 is almost dry but still just a wee bit tacky I apply the topcoat.  Alternatively, you could just mist some primer or top coat over the tacky POR15 if you are not ready for topcoat and then topcoat later.  I also believe that POR15 has recently come up with a product that can be applied directly to fully cured POR15 surface to tie it in to a topcoat.

[Richard Madison]

Peter:

Might want to look for the source of the moisture...maybe truck lid rubber molding, a pinhole in the trunk floor.

My car is at home in New York City which gets very humid in the summer but so far, the trunk floor has stayed bone dry. 

Richard M

[stickandrudderman]

reploace the rubber liner with carpet. It will help reduce the condensation which causes the rust, and also keeps the liner in good condition for when you come to sell.

[Witt]

replace the rubber liner with carpet. It will help reduce the condensation which causes the rust, and also keeps the liner in good condition for when you come to sell.

.....I do agree.....removed my rubbermat years ago..... replaced with matching carpet.......it's not only a leaky weather stripping that will admit moisture but also condensation that forms inside the trunk and under the mat due to temperature changes...... works for me, but each to it's own....

CHEERS !
WITT !