Ihe key ingredient in rust convertor is phosphoric acid. You can buy a gallon for around 12.oo bucks at a chemical supply store and mix it with 4 parts water. It will kill the rust in one or two treatments. depending on how bad, it may not take care of it if it is more than surface rust. The advantage to the convertors is that they often times have other chemicals that provide a prime. If the project is large, like a 600 ft. 5 1/2 inch steel pipe fence that I painted, it would be almost cost prohibitive to use a convertor. In your case, I would use the convertor. I see it at Lowes, and commercail paint stores. I always keep a qt. on hand. I have heard that it causes certain undercoatings and bedliner spray to peel. Not sure if its true but someone here probably has experience in that area. Adam
