by doug hodder » Thu Jul 03, 2008 10:57 pm
For what it's worth...surface rust isn't so bad, clean it up, prime and paint. If it shows some serious cancer in the steel, that might need to be ground out and taken care of or carefully checked. I'd check the welds to make sure they are complete and no holes left that would allow water to enter the tubing, if there is any, especially if there is no way for it to get out. Looks like it's constructed in angle. It all appears like just surface rust to me.
Do you have any idea on where it spent most of it's life? Kinda looks like it was never painted, pretty evenly rusted all over, but that might be due to your efforts. Since you're in Ca. (relatively dry climate) I'd just get it off and prime and paint if it's in good condition. Wipe it down with lacquer thinner before priming. I'd shoot a good epoxy primer on it too. Another option is Por 15 makes a great primer that will go over rusted materials. If it spent it's entire life on the coast....I'd check it out closer, salt is really tough on iron. Just my 2 cents worth. Others may have varying opinions. Doug