I think I am doing something wrong. I follow the directions on the back, but everytime I wipe the panel off with water after applying the metal conditioner, like it says, and I use distilled water, it looks like it forms a rust haze.
http://www.chevelles.com/forum/confused.gif

Steve

Ive been there done that before too, dont worry its complety natural for the metal conditioner to do that no matter what type you use PPG Dupont or sherwin williams.

Sevt is correct. Metal conditioner is an acid solution; therefore, it causes almost immediate oxidation(rust).

Metal conditioner is one of those things that I always required to be used in the shop, I never use it on my own cars. I HATE using it. Careful cleaning with soap and water before and during the sanding stages along with a good etching primer greatly diminishes the need for a metal conditioner. It's sole purpose is to etch the bare metal. Etching primer does the same thing.

As others have mentioned, the rust looking coating is normal....but it is NOT rust. It is simply the zinc phosphate coating left behind from the phosphoric acid in the metal conditioner...and that is what give you your protection.
The phosproric acid reacts w/ the metal to form this zinc phosphate coating, neutralizing any microscopic corrosion...phosphoric acid is the active ingredient also used in rust converters such as Rust Mort or Naval Jelly which turns rust into a black coating.
To remove the "rusty" looking coating after the process before painting or priming over it will simply defeat the purpose of using the metal conditioner.

As vettefella mentioned, TRUE self-etching primers (ones that use a phosporic acid based catalyst) are a much simpler method.

Shannon