Fix It

Depending on the climate where it is driven, your Toyotas frame may have rust damage. If caught early enough, preventative measures can slow the rusts progress and delay the need for extensive repairs. If the rust damage is significant, it can lead to failures in suspension and steering components, causing the vehicle to be unsafe. It is critical to inspect the frame carefully to determine the extent of repairs needed. This typically requires old sections of the frame to be reinforced with new pieces of metal. If the amount of rust damage is severe, the best choice may be to completely replace the section of frame, taking care to reinforce the joint. If you are not comfortable using a MIG welder, this repair is best left to a professional. But if you have the necessary skill and safety equipment for MIG welding, you can accomplish the job.

Instructions

Remove Old Rust

1

Spread the naval jelly on any rusted parts of the frame. Wait 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse with fresh water. Take care not to let the naval jelly remain on painted surfaces as it will remove the paint.

2

Assess the severity of the damage. Coat the area in rust-inhibiting paint if the rust has not gone completely through the frame metal and is not at any bolts or welded joints on the frame.

3

Check the repair regularly. This process may need to be repeated periodically to prevent the rust from returning or spreading.

Welding Reinforcements

4

Determine the appropriate repair --- welding a piece of angle bar to the existing frame metal or cutting the frame metal and replacing it completely. If the frame is compromised in many locations, replacing the entire section is likely preferable. Frame sections can be sourced from a Toyota dealership, or an auto dismantler may be able to locate a used one in good condition for less cost. Alternatively, hire a professional welder to fabricate a new frame section using the old one as a template if the vehicle sees heavy use, such as pickup truck.

5

Measure the section of frame to be reinforced and use the grinder to cut a length of angle bar. Add 3 to 4 inches on either side of the bar to overlap the frame. For example, if a 2-inch section of frame has rusted through, the reinforcement should be 8 to 12 inches long. Features of the frame may dictate variations to this, but it is better to overlap as much undamaged metal as possible.

6

Clamp the section of angle bar to the frame where it will be welded and mark any bolt holes or other features. If the reinforcement is in the area of a welded seam, it may be necessary to cut off the welded metal (such as a shackle) and reweld it to the reinforcement. Measure the location of the component carefully to ensure it goes back in the same place. It may also be necessary to trim the reinforcement to fit around features of the frame that to not need reinforcement.

7

Remove the clamps and drill the necessary holes in the reinforcement angle bar. Use the grinder to trim off any metal necessary for a good fit. Test-fit the reinforcement again to ensure the holes are placed properly and the piece fits flush against the existing metal frame. Use the wire brush wheel on the grinder to clean up the metal surface on the frame in preparation for welding.

8

Weld the reinforcement in place using the MIG welder. Reweld any other components such as suspension shackles. Paint the repaired area with rust-inhibiting paint and follow the above directions for periodically inspecting and refreshing the paint. Repeat this process for any other areas that need repair.

The exhaust pipe of your car may accumulate rust due to extensive rain exposure. The rust will eat away at the metallic components and cause holes to form in the exhaust system. A damaged exhaust pipe may emit a loud noise as the engine is engaged. If your exhaust system has already formed rust, perform a few basic techniques to scrub the components clean. Avoid costly car repair bills by cleaning your exhaust pipe on a regular basis.

Instructions

1

Carry the rust-removal supplies to the back end of your vehicle. Kneel down to view the exhaust system found under the trunk of your car. Locate the cylinder-shaped component known as the exhaust pipe.

2

Spray the rust-removal product onto the exhaust pipe of your vehicle. Rub the piece of steel wool around the length of the exhaust pipe. Repeat the process until the pipe retains its original metallic color.

3

Rub the cotton cloth around the exhaust pipe to remove any debris. Examine the length of the pipe to ensure you have gotten rid of the accumulated rust. Repeat the scrubbing process if necessary.

Rust can appear on all areas of a car or truck. The 1957 Chevrolet truck is a classic car that can be very prone to rust because of its age. The rear of a truck is exposed to many dents, bumps and scratches. This leads to the rust-proof coating on the truck to wear off more easily, leaving the rear more susceptible to rusting. Rust is an electrochemical process in which the molecules of water and metal combine to create rust. Fixing rust on the rear of a Chevy truck prevents the rust from spreading and causing more serious damage like rust-holes, which can interfere with the operation of the truck.

Instructions

1

Scrub off the rust on the rear of the car with a scrubbing pad or wire brush. This gets rid of any surface rust.

2

Put on rubber gloves to protect hands when using rust removers. Rust removers use very strong acids to dissolve rust. These acids include oxalic acid and phosphoric acid.

3

Pour rust remover onto a scrubbing pad. Scrub the remover into the rust and let stand for about 5 minutes or for the length of time suggested on the label.

4

Wipe away the rust remover with a rag or cloth.

5

Apply a rust-proof primer with a paintbrush. This stops any further rusting on the rear of the truck.

6

Apply touch-up paint to necessary areas of the rear of the truck.