The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have a Victor 24 inch Panel Horn that needs to be repainted (don't worry someone already had done it once before so nothing lost by doing so). I have removed the rust and the steel is still quite solid but is pitted from the rust. What do fellow forum members recommend for filling in the pitting? The first product that comes to my mind is auto body filler used sparingly. Would this be a decent approach to get back a nice smooth surface before priming and painting? Or from others experience is there a better method or product I might be able to leverage? Thoughts?

They used to make a product for body work called "feather fill" and that worked pretty good for something like that. I have no idea if that's still around or not, or even if that was the brand name. It's been a long time since I've done any metal finishing. It dried a little bit slower so you had a little more time to fuss with it.

If you are just talking about minor pitting from surface rust, first clean the rust off with a wire brush or sandpaper - a wire wheel works best. Then spray with "sandable metal primer", which builds a heavy filler coat that fills imperfections and then is sanded smooth to prepare the surface... Hope this helps.

https://www.rustoleum.com/product-catal ... ble-primer

The sandable primer looks to be worth trying first and appreciate the link to the product you suggested.

Try Etching Primer, or Self Etching Primer. It is often used where there is a small amount of rust residue left behind. It prevents further rust and acts as a fine filler. It dries quickly and can be wet or dry sanded easily. It also leaves a surface which the top coat will adhere to well. The primer has acid and zinc in it as the operative elements. The acid burns into the metal chemically and the zinc applies a seal.