Today I decided to remove the surface rust in the space under the wiper panel. It has the vent and mine was just ugly. I had researched the task and decided to use POR products - the metal prep and then POR-15 black. This space is covered, so I did not mind painting it black (cue the Stones).

Here is the sequence:

Before: you can see the surface rust all over this area


During: here you can see post the metal prep. I also used a steel wire brush to help the metal prep do its thing. After the metal prep, I sanded with a block and brought out the dremel with a wire wheel attachment to get some of the corners. It really removed almost all the rust in 20-30 minutes



After: here it is after 2 coats of POR-15 black. I could have done some removal of the good original paint, but the POR-15 did cover it with the second coat.

Great work!
I had good luck with Por15 myself.
Many folk speak against it and have other prefences (they claim it peels away) but i believe that not enough attention was taken on the prep. Most effort should be on the prep rather than the Por15 application: Five years later, after inspection, the Por-15 still doesn't disappoint, still adheres and maintains a blinding shine.

I am thinking I may do the floorboards down the road. Mine has some rust, though I think a little less that what you have shown. I am not happy with the old padding in there. I will probably just tear it all out, get new carpet and get some of the modern deadening material. Thanks for posting. Looks like a good thing to do in the not too distant future.

I was really pleased with how the job was progressing. Much of the first photo shows rusted residue and rotted jute & tar that was left at the surface from decades of neglect. I guess that’s where the typical Fiat smell we’re all familiar with originates from. From start to finish (assuming 2-3 hrs a day after work) including carpet washing, reconditioning the delicate wire loom, grinding and proper drying time before the 3rd step Por15, it took about a week.
The results were very satisfying. There was a tiny weak spot around a drain hole that required strengthening with fibreglass cloth.
Obviously it’s a job that should be done sooner than later since the effects are irreversible.
Enjoy.

Great looking job Arik, congratulations I'm planning to do my floor also next year like you did...

How about top-coating your work with some original red paint? Brush application would be fine. POR-15 says that their product degrades under sunlight. I don't know if the product weakens, discolors, or? but they do add this caution on their label.