Rust bubble fixing, SL rear quarters, recommendations needed

[mcsvt]

Not much of a body person, so I need some recommendations.

Take a look a the pictures and let me know how I should go about fixing this up.

I don't have a welder, or access to a welder.

Driver side, not really that bad...



Passenger side, slightly worse, with a crack as well...



All I can really figure is to sand it down and use a little filler then prime it up.
Any help is appreciated!

[supercrackerbox]

Hmm, that first one is in kind of an odd spot. Usually it seems to start at the edge of the panel and work inwards, like the second one. How badly is it rotted on the inside of the wheelwell?

In situations like this, you'll probably find that the rot is way worse than it looks once you grind off the paint and damaged metal. You may have to form some patch panels using fiberglass matting. If you can get away without that, I'd look into an aluminum powder based body filler. It's a bit more expensive, and a lot harder to grind down smooth, but it's stronger and less prone to water absorbtion.

So, having said that, I would grind it all down with 80 grit on a DA sander untill all the completely flaky metal is gone. Hopefully you'll still have enough swiss cheese underneath to apply filler to. If not, go with the fiberglass, if yes, then go with the filler. But before either of those, clean the area very thoroughly and apply some Naval Jelly. This will neutralize the rust, just follow the instructions on the jar. Then proceed with the filler, followed by a good primer sealer and paint.

[GLHSKEN]

Mine were like that as well Gary, Don't know what the painter did, but has took care of it..

[GLHS592]

That will require welding, that is, if you want it done correctly.

[mcsvt]

I can't really get behind to see how the back looks since I can't get the wheels off... but that's another story

Adam, thanks for the pointers, sounds doable if I go after it myself.

I'm thinking I'd rather have it done right then mess it up. I want this car long term.

[Clay]

Gary,

My only advice to you right now is get it out while the getting is good, so to speak. The longer you allow the rust to remain, the worse it can/will get. Your best bet is to at least remove what is there, and then apply a good primer over what is left.

If your going to wait till spring to have it fixed, then I wouldn't worry to much about it. If its going to be a year or more before you will have it fixed, then I would get rid of what is there now while its small.

[guyd_15]

Gary,

Stop by my house and borrow my welder (Miller 130 w/ gas kit).

And maybe, I'll have some money to get buy some wheels from you. For the daughter to use during the winter.

Guy

[supercrackerbox]

That will require welding, that is, if you want it done correctly.

Very true, I was just saying what I'd do if that was not an option. Pieces that small shouldn't be too hard to make your own patch panels for if you're handy with hammer and dolly work.

[mcsvt]

Well I'm focusing on cleaning up the interior this week. But it shouldn't take too much longer. I may try to sand it down a bit and see what I have to deal with underneath.

Guy I gotta get it road worthy so I can drive it down there It was sitting for about a month or 2 and she started up so I could drive her into the garage...

[BadAssPerformance]

Unfortunately that is kind of common for H-bodies ... get us some progress pics

[ScottD]

+1 on it being worse than it seems/looks.

I wouldn't do anything until you're ready to weld it. Do anything with filler and the rust will come back eventually. Do it right :-)

[mcsvt]

I was looking at sanders today... I wish I could drive the car around "legally" and try to get some quotes on fixing it.

I'll post up some pics later as to what I've been doing with the car the last few days

[Mike M]

If it looks like this:


Do this:


Then this:


End result:


See http://www.turbo-mopar.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=17508 for more. The thread needs to be updated with final pictures... but its done

[mcsvt]

^ Pure beauty! Wish I could dedicate the time for that. This week will be the most time I'll have to do it. No space where I live.

If I drive the car up there will you do it for me

[raccoon]

looks like someone did a bondo job on the car before. =( its not going to be fun.

[mcsvt]

Here are a couple pics of the front floors.

Driver side (flash exagerates it a bit...):



Drivers side (no flash):



Passenger Side:



Where did everything go



So seeing the drivers floor, would it be safe to sand it down and use some rust preventative paint?

[guyd_15]

The quarters would probably take you about 2 days, this wouldn't include paint.

Sand the floor and see, if it's ok I'd say POR-!5.

Wear gloves, it'll stick to your skin almost as good as metal. And it doesn't clean off.

Guy

[mcsvt]

I sanded down the drivers floor a bit, nothing soft, so I'm just going to use some rust paint I got at Advanced, I couldn't find the good stuff

Started cleaning the carpet, it's better, but I don't think I'll be able to get it to good sadly. I think I may try to get new material for the headliner, it's got some small holes.

Boy is this week of clean up steamrolling