Something to preserve tinwork…

[Selectamatic]

Hello,

I’ve got a little tractor with a original Q cab on it. It’s in good condition although there are little patches of rust coming through, it’s original, and I would like to preserve it, not letting it get worse, but also not restoring it.

I’d like to paint, spray, rub, something onto it, that will keep the ti work from getting worse, but will still let me do a bit of work with the thing…

What would the knowledgeable people on here suggest…?

 

[REStracTORATION]

Owatrol oil
It dries but gives a barrier over rust
Oil just let's dust stick to it and it gets all over your clothes

 

[Wisconsonian]

Rust on tinwork is like a cavity/carie in a tooth, you have to remove the rot to keep it from growing. If the inside of the cab is bare, pressure wash the rust away, or use an air hammer or needle scaler to remove the scaly built up rust that jacks panels apart. That will help any rustproofer keep the rust slowed down well enough that it won't get worse quickly.

 

[TheTallGuy]

Depends if it is proper rot/rust or whether just surface scale rust. If it's surface rust then either oily rag, owatrol oil or waxoyl type stuff on a dry day usually does the trick, if it's proper rust then ideally you need to clean it back to good metal, prime & a touch of paint.