We have some rolling stock sitting out in the weather waiting for restoration (read $$$). Some of it, like baggage cars, have metal roofs that are rusting away. We don't have staff or money to do too much with them right now.

What is the best way to protect the roofs from rusting away? I realize a good sanblasting & proper paint would be the the best, but we don't have the resources for that right now. One of our members suggested rolling on some mobile home roof coating to protect them. Anyone have any thoughts on that? Maybe just a good coat of rustoleum?

Thanks,
Bill Houston
Heart Of Dixie RRM
Calera, AL

http://www.rustbullet.com/Application.htm

This is what we used on our tender. It seems to have held up quite nicely in the New Mexico sun/wind/dust/snow/monsoons.

If there are no rust outs in the roof, it would certainly be smart to paint/coat the roof to conserve and protect what is left. I have seen a good paint job last for years, with some maintenance every 5 years or so. I have also seen various asphalt based roof coatings used. The problem with them is they have a much different coefficient of thermal expansion than the underlying metal roof. So inevitably they tend to crack and split after only a winter or two outdoors. These cracks admit water and lead to some lifting of the coating. The result can be more serious corrosion (and not apparent) than if left untreated.

And of course, there will always be some spots that adhere tenaciously, looking ahead to when you can do a proper restoration and have to remove that gooey asphalt.

I have always thought it would be worth investigating whatever polymer they advertise/use for lining pickup truck beds. I think Rhino is one I see touted. When I called around here in the Midwest, they did not give much of a reply. But apparently it goes on liquid and sets up to a plastic like liner made to order for the underlying shape.

Bob Kutella

Many moons ago, we used bed liner on the floor of the FWWR cars. It was colored redish maroon. It faded after a season. I would be afraid of a similar thing happening on a roof in the sun.

I don't know about the mobile home roofing approach. If its just a rust problem, and the roof is in generally good shape (no leaks), you might try a rust restorer and a good painting. You'll thank yourself later (when you are ready to put the money into the project) that you don't have to remove the asphalt.

Like Bob suggest, if you do paint it, regular inspection and maintainence is key. Just keep it coated even if its with laytex house paint and a roller.

I agree that I'm a little hesitant about using any type of roof coating or bedliner for a temp stabilization effort. While it might work, it would be a task to remove it when a proper restoration is done.

I tend to think a good coat of paint would be the best solution for now. Problem is I don't think we can go thru surface tust removal at this point in time. (Where's all the volunteers when you need them?)

Not worried about fading. Just want to keep rust from getting worse. Is there not a Rustoleum pain that you can apply over rust without doing a thorough rust removal first?

Bill

Ospho rust converter followed by Rustoleum red rust primer, cover coat of paint.

dave

Bill,

Yup! man power and money, never enough when you need them.

Get yourself a power washer, if you don’t have one of can’t barrow one, rent one from Home Depot. Buy some good general propose cleaner / degreaser that you can siphon through the power washer and give the roof a through cleaning. Be careful not to blast into the seams or gaps to much. The object is to do a basic removal of lose rust and dirt. Then rinse thoroughly with clean water and let dry overnight or a day or two, you are now ready for paint.

Go to your local Sherwin Williams and get a good industrial rust inhibiting coating. The prices and application methods vary greatly from product to product if you feel like doing some homework. However, all you need is a good rust inhibiting coating, and Rustoleum will do the trick and is probably the most economical, but remember you get what you pay for and a little education and maybe a couple extra dollars can get you some extra years of performance, one coat, fast and easy.

Use a gloss topcoat (what ever color is needed), not a primer, they are porous and will allow moisture to get in.

I would recommend a roller and brush application, it is fast, can be done by yourself.

Remember, we are just talking about stabilization here. Sandblasting, wire wheeling and sanding are for another discussion. Tarring is a NO NO, it stays together but will eventually lift off the substrate and your left with a pockets of moisture eating away at your roof but from the outside everything looks fine.

Let’s re-cap.

Pressure wash to remove loose dirt and rust, let dry and paint.

In ten years when you have the money and manpower, ah, yeah, well, repeat the above steps.

Scott
Pennsy Railcar Restorations LLC.
www.prrllc.com

Scott,
Thanks for the info...Your suggestion is the way I was leaning. Fortunately, I have a commecial grade power washer of my own we could use. We've have a yard full of rolling stock that's just going to rust away if we don't start doing something.

Where did you say that manpower was? : )