Every classic car enthusiast knows a thing or two about rust.  Rust, of course, is our perennial enemy... even here in SoCal, with our limited…{"id":6312,"date":"2015-01-06T11:26:51","date_gmt":"2015-01-06T19:26:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/?p=6312"},"modified":"2015-01-06T11:26:51","modified_gmt":"2015-01-06T19:26:51","slug":"fighting-the-good-fight-rusted-rods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/2015\/01\/06\/fighting-the-good-fight-rusted-rods\/","title":{"rendered":"Fighting the Good Fight: Rusted Rods"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every classic car enthusiast knows a thing or two about rust. \u00a0Rust, of course, is our perennial enemy… even here in SoCal, with our limited rainfall (and current drought). \u00a0So it’s about time we featured a vendor who specializes in keeping rust at bay! \u00a0This week we caught up with Rick and Diane Bruns, the owners of Rusted Rods. \u00a0For years Rusted Rods has championed the cause,\u00a0offering anti-corrosive and rust preventive coatings to aide in your classic car restoration. \u00a0They’re also a Pomona Swap Meet regular. \u00a0You can\u00a0find them at every show on the Main Aisle (Road C, Space 19)<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELVES…<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0When and how did you get started in this industry?<\/span>
RB:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0We started Rusted Rods about ten years ago, focusing primarily on providing specialty coatings to small hot-rod builders and do-it-yourself car restorers.<\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0What\u2019s\u00a0the best part of your job?<\/span>
RB:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0Working with people interested in the car hobby and businesses.<\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0Have you always been interested in classic cars?<\/span>
RB:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0Yes, my first car was a ’51 Ford woody wagon, which my dad promptly made me sell because it “wasn’t practical.”\u00a0 Boy, I wish I still had that car!\u00a0 Since then, I’ve had several ’65\/’66 Mustangs, a ’56 Ford F-1, and a 1930 Chevy.<\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0Do you currently own a classic car?<\/span>
RB:<\/span>\u00a0 We have a ’31 Model A, a ’66 Mustang coupe, and I’m currently resto-modding a ’50 Ford Custom sedan.<\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0If you won the lottery tonight, what’s the first classic car you would buy?<\/span>
RB:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0Probably another ’49-’51 Ford woody wagon.<\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0Any favorite memories of the Pomona Swap Meet that you could share with us?<\/span>
RB:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0We’ve met some very interesting characters, several celebrities, and thousands of great people.\u00a0 Many of our customers come by just to say hello and show us their finished projects.\u00a0 That’s a kick!<\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0Ford or Chevy?<\/span>
RB:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0I enjoy all classics, but lean towards Ford.<\/span><\/p>\n

NOW TELL US ABOUT YOUR COMPANY…<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0How can customers contact you?<\/span>
RB:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0It’s easiest to reach me at (951)232-9514 or by email at por15rick@gmail.com<\/a><\/strong>. \u00a0You can also visit our website,<\/span> www.rustedrods.com<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0Can you tell us a little about your company and its history?<\/span>
RB:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0We started with POR-15 about ten years ago.\u00a0 My brother owned a speed shop in Missouri and he used it on body frames.\u00a0 We tried it and liked it, but it wasn’t easily found in So Cal.\u00a0 So we decided to try selling it at Pomona.\u00a0 We had a lot of people interested and modest success, so we decided to pursue selling all of the POR-15 line, and later added Eastwood products for those who prefer the ease of aerosol applications.<\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0What exactly do you sell?<\/span>
RB:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0We sell POR-15 and Eastwood specialty automotive coatings primarily.\u00a0 We can special order most anything they sell, unless prohibited by California’s SCAQMD<\/a><\/strong> legislation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"FV<\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0So what’s new in rust? \u00a0What are a few things that classic car owners should know or look out for?<\/span>
RB:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0The most important thing about rust is to eliminate or encapsulate it so that it doesn’t cause further damage.\u00a0 Rust, iron oxide, occurs when water and oxygen come into contact with metal surfaces.\u00a0 Basically, it’s chemical weathering and erosion of the metal surface.\u00a0 To protect the metal, it must be protected from wet conditions or rust will occur.\u00a0 Both POR-15 and Eastwood’s Rust Encapsulator provide superior protection against water damage.<\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0Tell us about POR-15. \u00a0How easy is it to work with? \u00a0Can the average DIY-er use it effectively, or?<\/span>
RB:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0POR-15 is a paint-on coating which you simply brush on clean, dry, bare metal to protect it from rust.\u00a0 Unlike most paints, it doesn’t gas off solvents which leave open pores for water to later penetrate.\u00a0 Instead, it dries from the outside inward, so it leaves no access to damaging water and dries to an impenetrable surface.\u00a0 Surfaces coated with POR-15 that are exposed to UV light should be top-coated after application.<\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0What’s the basic process that a classic car owner should go through to eradicate rust, and to prevent new rust? \u00a0How hard is the prep work to get metal surfaces ready for POR-15?<\/span>
RB:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0POR-15 can be applied over most metal surfaces.\u00a0 To prep, clean well with a product like POR-15’s Marine Clean degreaser. \u00a0Surface rust may be scraped or wire-brushed to provide a smoother surface or chemically cleaned with POR-15 Metal Prep (formerly Metal Ready).\u00a0 This product leaves a zinc-phosphate residue which promotes better adhesion. \u00a0Then POR-15 can simply be brushed on.\u00a0 It’s self-leveling.\u00a0 Curiously, POR-15 cures with water vapor in the atmosphere, so it actually cures faster under humid conditions.\u00a0 Primers and topcoats may be applied when it is “finger-drag” tacky, within the first 12-24 hours for best results.<\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0What other products do you offer or specialize in?<\/span>
RB:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0We offer the full line of Eastwood specialty coatings, and can special order any products available in California from either the POR-15 or Eastwood’s product lines.<\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0Any\u00a0new products or offerings that we should know about? \u00a0Any changes on the horizon?<\/span>
RB:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0We always have new products from Eastwood.\u00a0 We are very excited about their new line of 2K Ceramic spray coatings.<\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0How long have you been coming to Pomona?<\/span>
RB:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0Ten years.<\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0What are your most popular items at the Swap Meet? \u00a0What sells fast?<\/span>
RB:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0Our most popular items are POR-15 coatings and Eastwood Rust Encapsulators and Chassis Black.\u00a0 We also sell quite a bit of the Eastwood primers, specialty finishes, and fuel tank restoration kits.<\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0Do you offer any special swap meet deals or discounts?<\/span>
RB:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0Yes, we offer a swap meet special “POR-15 Restorers Kit” which includes quart sizes of Marine Clean, Metal Prep, and POR-15 in your choice of color for $65.\u00a0 This kit will provide about 90 square feet of coverage. \u00a0Individually priced online, these products would run $75 plus tax and shipping.\u00a0 So, it’s about a $20-$25 savings for our customers.<\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0Anything else that customers should know about your company or your products?<\/span>
RB:<\/span>\u00a0 Stop by and chat with us a while.\u00a0 We’ll be happy to answer your questions about our product lines and help you with your project in any way we can!<\/span><\/p>\n

If you’re working to restore a classic car, stop by<\/span>\u00a0Road C, Space 19<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0on the Main Aisle at the next Pomona Swap Meet & Classic Car Show. \u00a0Talk to a couple of experts, and get the products you need to keep the rust on your ride in check!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t