MOTORING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23761, 14 September 1940, Page 8 (Supplement)

MOTORING

By Focus

Removing 'Rust PROFITABLE WORK FOR OWNER-DRIVER

A WELL - ORGANISED rust hunt, especially if the car is not very new, is an occupation that might profitably engage the owner-driver in these days of restricted running. It is important that the car should be kept in good order for the time when motoring can again bo placed on its former footing without petrol rationing. For tho removal of rust, -which may bo found in a variety of positions, a few wire brushes and an ample supply of sandpaper or ornery cloth will bo

necessary, in addition to cloths, oil, paint brushes and a drip tray. Rusty nuts and bolts should bo scrubbed with a dry wire brush, tho dust thus produced being cleared away with a paint brush or cloth. Tho fresh surfaco

can then be paintod with lacquer, or ordinary 'paint if tho part is out of sight.

Black mudguards are somotimes stoveonamollcd, and if they require touching up enamel must bo used, but it must not bo used for touching up cellulose. Regardless of tho typo of finish, howover, tho stops taken in dealing with rust spots are similar. If rust extends beneath the surface, paint may bo flaked off, and the whole area of metal thus exposed rubbed with emery cloth until all rust is removed.

Repainting should be an unhurried process. Each coat of paint should bo allowed to dry thoroughly. ■ For preference a good undercoating should bo used on tho bare metal. Avoid overloading the brush with paint, but have enough on it, especially with cellulose, to cover at a single stroke, otherwise linos and ridges will form. Plating already showing signs of rust cannot bo properly cleaned, because the trouble lies beneath the surfaco. The proper course is to remove tho faulty part and have it re-plated. Sometimes a yellowish deposit that appears to bo rust is found on chromeplating. Actually it is merely surfaco grime, which can bo readily removed with a good cleaner.

To clean tho interior of the car, floor mats and seat cushions should bo removed, given a good . beating, and then run over with a vacuum cleaner. Oil and other stains can bo taken out with petrol, and a final brightening effect is obtainable by tho use of carpet soap. Seat cushions and squabs should bo vacuum cleaned in the pleats, and leather can be improved in appearanco by means of saddle soap or good furniture polish.