Undercover Flex Rust Fix?

I bought an Undercover Flex tonneau in relatively good shape for an unbeatable price on fb marketplace. However, there are a few rust spots on the right rail and 1-2 of the panel locks. I don't know if the lock mechanism rust is a bracket or a screw yet, haven't taken the time to fully investigate yet

Any advice on how to go about fixing those spots up?

 

Take it as far apart as you can, mask off anything you don't want to hit, and sand off as much of the rust as you can, starting with something not too aggressive just to see how bad/deep it is - I'd say maybe 100 or so. Any remaining powdercoat/paint, be sure to rough up with 180 or 220 grit.

Use a primer and spraypaint from the same brand, following the directions on the can. I know that sounds like I'm giving you a hard time, but I promise, it's not - all spraypaint is a little different, and small differences like recoat time even among products from the same manufacturer can make a big difference. If you really want to go the extra mile, before you use the SEP, use a rust converter. There are many. VHT works good if the conditions are right.

If you want to spend a little extra money to save a lot of labor, pick up enough Evapo-Rust to submerge the rusty part. I believe they now sell it at Harbor Freight/Princess Auto by the quart and gallon. Get that rusty piece completely off the tonneau and throw it in a jar/bin/mom's best Tupperware full of Evapo-Rust and leave it until the rust is gone. It won't hurt the metal or the remaining paint/powdercoat. That lets you skip the sanding and masking and rust converting and go right to degreasing/priming/painting.

 

That's alot of info to process. I know northing about most of what you said. And I would have no idea how to remove that entire sheet of metal to soak it in a giant tub whatever evapo rust is lol. I figured I'd have to sand it with a few diff grits, paint something over it, and treat it with something. So atleast I was in the ballpark having no actual experience with treating rust or dismantling a tonneau panel lol

I'll report back with more questions I'm sure