Rust, often considered the cancer of the automotive world, is the enemy of anyone who loves cars, trucks, or any items mainly constructed of steel or iron. Rusting, or oxidation, is defined as a chemical reaction in which electrons are lost, and while that’s a stuffy, chemistry-based definition, it is relevant to stopping rust from destroying our 4x4s. Basically, we want to stop or slow the loss of electrons from the steel either chemically (via rust-remover) or physically (by grinding it off and/or sealing it with paint or another type of sealer).
For decades, we’ve dabbled with various techniques for killing rust, which is the only way to prevent its continued growth. Recently, we needed to stop a bunch of surface rust on the hood of our ’74 CJ-5 and thought this might be a good place to do some unscientific tests of what works and what doesn’t. One important note before we begin: Wear safety gear like eye protection, rubber or nitrile gloves, and clothes that you don’t mind possibly damaging when using any of these methods.
