so if you can't tell where this picture is, its right near the muffler behind the wheel well area, where it looks like the unibody has been weded to part of the rear quarter panel. Sorry if that is confusing, but its not terribly important.

Basically I'm worried about this rust, and I hope to get some suggestions about what to do. Also, i'm not sure if this is a vital area and need to be reinforced or not. I have the capability of cutting this metal out and welding some new stuff in there if need be.

Any suggestions?

 

note: i already flaked off part of it, the metal was just completely discintigrating on the top, i'm not sure to what extent cause it was dark, i'm gonna take a look at it tomorrow.

 

I think this shows better the overall location of this.

 

I would cut it off with a cutting disc, then either weld on a new piece of metal, or just spray paint over it. I don't think its that vital.

 

so basically what i want to know, is how structurally important is that little diagonal section? i'm guessing it just keeps that section right behind the wheel rigid, do you think i could just cut it all out and weld in another little triangle there?

 

Thats a common place to rust over here in finland if the rustproofing fails

 

i'd just grind it off, and anywhere else there is rust starting to form. then respray the entire underside of the car with box liner or rustproofing crap.

 

What would do if you have time is put some of this down their http://www.por15.com My bro used to work thier and he gave me a bunch of it. Its really really strong paint no prep work at all just paint gewd stuff. good luck

 

cut em both off, weld the seam then spray under coating from your local auto retailer. that will be fine structurally if welded right.

 

Maybe it's just the photo, but it doesn't look that bad.

I'd recommend that you lightly sand blast the area and then re-assess the damage.

Then you could use a product like the POR-15 noted in a prior post. It's a "rust converter" and works real well. (in other words, it's not just a paint) Wear gloves when you use POR-15 because it will discolor your skin and will not come off. You have to wear it off.

Then use 3M underseal. It comes in a spray can and kind of "foams up" a bit. The finished coat is kind of like tar.

Wes

 

where can i get por 15 or something like it locally?

 

Just go to http://www.por15.com to order it. My rear quarter panel on my hatch was rusted out very bad and I no longer had the hole to bolt the rear bumper on. I first used por15's starter kit, which includes a cleaner, metal prep, and the actually por15. Then I used por15's fiberglass resin stuff that has actually fiberglass hairs in it (VERY strong). Lastly I just used regular bondo to smooth it all out. I completly re-constructed my rear quarter panel, and the rust hasnt come back since (about 10 months).

 

is there anything like this that i can get commericially local? Theres gotta be...

 

update: I spent some time grinding/cutting/sanding, and a lot of that metal was just being held on by the rubbery coating on it, once I got thru that a LOT of the rusted metal came off, there is not a gap between those 2 piece, pics later. I'm gonna need to weld some new metal in there for sure, I just need to do a bit more nit picking to see how far its gone and make sure I get all of it out.

 

Well when I ventured to find the best thing besides cutting my rear quarter panel out, this was the best thing I could find. I think I remember seeing products at local parts stores, but I dont think any of them really worked to well. Por-15 has fast shipping lol

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by s1ngle &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">update: I spent some time grinding/cutting/sanding, and a lot of that metal was just being held on by the rubbery coating on it, once I got thru that a LOT of the rusted metal came off, there is not a gap between those 2 piece, pics later. I'm gonna need to weld some new metal in there for sure, I just need to do a bit more nit picking to see how far its gone and make sure I get all of it out.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yea usually when you start grinding and cleaning it up, you find out its worse than it appeared. Sounds like you def. gotta weld some metal in there

 

Walmart has some rust converting chemical that you paint on and it eats the rust. I have had good luck with that.

Personally I would sand blast it! Well use media not sand.. It should show you straight what you can keep and whats a lost cause

 

yeah I would probably sand blast it first no matter what

 

unfortunately i dont have a means of sand blasting, so i'm cleaning it up the best i can by hand, its coming along fine.

 

update: I spent some time grinding/cutting/sanding, and a lot of that metal was just being held on by the rubbery coating on it, once I got thru that a LOT of the rusted metal came off, there is not a gap between those 2 piece, pics later. I'm gonna need to weld some new metal in there for sure, I just need to do a bit more nit picking to see how far its gone and make sure I get all of it out.

 

Definetly make sure that you primer or undercoat that area.

and while your at it check the opposite side.