Have an 86 Lotus here, with quad-butted Ishiwata steel. I doubt it’s worth anything monetarily but I think it’s quite nice. Has a number of places the paint has chipped off and been replaced with rust. I bought a jar of Naval Jelly, on someone’s recommendation, but it says it will damage paint. Have scrubbed a few spots with 0000 steel wool but a) it may be flattening the surrounding paint and b) someone suggested the wool leaves microscopic dust in the paint that later rusts. Have seen in this sub aluminum foil recommended a few times, either with WD-40 or lemon juice or vinegar or whatever else, and a variety of specific products which may or may not be available locally (rural Illinois). And at this point I’m not quite sure which specific method for this particular application. Small spots of non-flaky rust surrounded by good paint. After removing the rust I plan to use a similar color nail polish. It’s not meant to be a museum piece but I would take pride in cleaning her up a bit. It could be all the various methods people mention when asked about rust are equally valid and it’s really not that complicated. I am quite curious just how thoroughly the discoloration needs to be eliminated in order for the rust not to return beneath the painted (nail polished) surface. Appreciate any advice.
by OkStation4360