They are only original once

Browniepetersen
Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
edited March 2013 in HUDSON
I expect that I will have my 54 back on the road later this week. I expect that mechanically it is solid and will be a good, original runner with the minor checks and repairs that I have made. After I get it home and give it a good wash (It has been too cold!!!) I expect that I will start on the interior (most of it is missing). The seats are in rather good original condition but as was common with old drag racers the original seats were replaced with a set from a 50 Commodore or Pacemaker. Have to clean things up inside it cannot stay as it is. Now, the outside is another question. If I leave it, as it is, there is surface rust on the top and back deck lid. The question is: What can I do with this to keep it as it is, stop the rusting process and maintain the original look? Navel Jelly? Oil baths? Any good ideas?

Comments

  • commodorecollector
    commodorecollector Senior Contributor
    Awesome Brownie! So you are going to keep her with the patina instead of re-painting her?
    As for as I know to slow down the rusting process can be done by living in dry climates and not near the coast. Any moisture or dew will just keep the process going and sooner than later it is going to rust through. The only way I can think of temporary slowing it down is clear-coating it, but that would make the whole area look wet (gently wash the car before)
    IMO; I would re-paint her either to her original color or something you would like. Save yourself the headache of rust.
  • faustmb
    faustmb Senior Contributor
    If nothing else, it would be fun to drive around for the summer with the current Patina. This is pretty common on the HAMB. I've read about guys washing with a CLR solution to clean up the rust and then wax / clear coat. I'd research it there and I think you'll find the technique pretty well detailed.

    It's a very cool car with a great history, why not let it roll as is for a bit?

    Either way, I'm looking forward to the next round of pics.
    Matt
  • hudsontech
    hudsontech Senior Contributor
    Well, the fellow that brought the 1915 (or 1916) roadster with a pickup box in the back to the 2004 National left his with the original many years wear on the paint - but he did spray the whole car with WD-40 as I recall him saying.

    Hudsonly,
    Alex Burr
    Memphis, TN

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    do not put anything with SILICONE on it, or any future paint will never stick.
  • commodorecollector
    commodorecollector Senior Contributor
    Silicone or oil products will cause fish eyes and other surface imperfections underneath the paint.
  • Glowplug
    Glowplug Expert Adviser
    There are several rust encapsulation products on the market that dry clear and do not affect future resurfacing. Some of the Stepdowns in my history were daily drivers and all had some form of surface rust, many looked worse than they actually were and I used a sponge and some Ajax or similar cleaner to remove the rust that had flowed over the remaining painted surfaces. At that time in my life these Hudsons were daily drivers and refinishing was usually a rattle can on the worst spots or just let it come back. Looking back, most of the rust was in the middle of the roof and top of the trunk. Always thought that was due to heat buildup and then cooling of each day resulting in breaking and checking of the paint. Today doing what I did is called leaving the Patina, and then it was just what my outside parked everyday Hudson driver looked like. :)
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    As a kid in my dad's gas station he would often have a car or two on the lot for sale. Each week I would have the assignment to wash down the cars. Rather than use soap in the water I would add a bit of kerosene. Dad said it would make them shine and clean off all old road grime. I washed my 53 all summer long and must admit that it looked really good at the end of the summer. Would this be something I would want to do on this original finish.
  • Snailslayer
    Snailslayer Expert Adviser
    scrub the surface rust off with CLR diluted down 4:1 with water. Scrubb with a scotchbright pad to remove the rust and convert it to the primer underneath. The rust will scrub off really well and then it will look patina's not rusty (save for maybe the roof). Polish the remaining paint and cover with a good thick wax on the entire car. Polish out the brightwork as well. Drive and enjoy the compliments. Just use thick wax, not linseed oil, WD-40 or other.
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    Thanks for that information. I will give it a try...
  • Lee ODell
    Lee ODell Senior Contributor
    Brownie, check your email. Lee
  • TwinH
    TwinH Senior Contributor
    Guys are driving around bare metal hot rods with nothing more than a wipe of this stuff.
    gibbsbrand.net/home.html
  • 54SuperWasp
    54SuperWasp Expert Adviser
    In case you missed this one in Gettysburg! For me, it was Love at first sight! Michel
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    Nice brougham!!!! I have some spots on my coupe that are further gone than this one but all in all they look like brothers from the same mother.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Being a 54 its one of very few made in that body style.................. my favorite stepdown style,
    Roger
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    I know what you are saying. When I picked up my car there was one brougham in the group. It was sold as one of the first offered (well it stayed local). I would have loved to have it but it was not to be. I was very excited about my coupe and as I work on it each day I become more attached to it. It is going to be a fun process. Perhaps it will be ready for the National in Colorado?
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