Rusty Z bar restoration?

[Steve Hoch]

I was searching through my grill parts and came upon this zbar that I had started to try and save. It's in typical bad shape from all the Midwest winters it's endured. I had wire wheeled the flaking rust and paint off of it and gave a couple coats of Rust-Oleum rust reformer. My plan was to use bondo on it, sand it down and repaint it. I never got that far, but I'm wondering if anyone has? I have bought the stainless steel replacements from Rcplanebuyer before but has anybody come up with a method for saving these or is it a lost cause?

 

[Paul Warner]

Steve, i have tried without success to resurrect some rust ravaged Z bars. SS is the rolls royce option but I have struggled to get paint to adhere to these (aluminium the same) The real solution is sourcing standard steel Z bar in my opinion if one can find a supplier. Easier said than done no doubt.