Alright guys I have been putting this off for as long as possible, even though I know I shouldn't have. I have two medium size rust spots in the corner of my door jams, on both sides. I have thought about having a body shop fix it, but I know this will be very costly. I am willing to have a shop paint it back, but can I just sand it down? What procedure should I go through to fix it?
Thanks a lot!


Ju§tin

1. Go to <insert auto parts store here>
2. Purchase a Haynes repair manual ~$15
3. Read chapter 11
4. Buy necessary tools
5. Fix rust spots :)

Read this:


Get a wire wheel at the auto parts store and attach to your drill. Grind the rust spot down real good. Then grind some more. You have to get EVERY bit of rust out---even in the pits of the meatl. If you don't, you'll be doing it again in a year. Spend the time and clean it up really good.


Then go buy some rust sealer like EXTEND or NAVAL jelly. Read the directions and follow them. Then get some bondo or spot filler depending on the size. Fill in the rough spots where you sanded and sealed. Let it dry as it says on the package. Then come back and sand with something like 100 grit to get the high spots off. Then move to something like 150 then to 200 then to 500, you get the point--moving up higher in the numbers gets you smoother paper to work out the scratches. You move it up to the point that it's smooth to the hand and even smooth looking to the eye. Then get a spray bottle and wet the area and wet sand with 1000-1500. Do this until its very smooth and then let it dry a day or so.

Hit it with primer for about 2-3 coats. Break out the wet sanding approach for 1000 grit and then 2000. Get it nice and smooth and to the point where all the bare metal is smooth AND covered by primer. Once that's done you can clean the area down with mineral sprits--gently. Let it dry. Tape off the surrounding area and work the paint in for one light coat then wait a min. Then apply another light coat. Build the coats up, waiting about 1-3 min. between each. On the last coat---say the 3rd coat, put it on heavier to the point that it ALMOST runs. Step back and hope that it doesn't:) Then wait for that to almost dry and hit it with the clear coat---about 2-3 coats. If it does run. Stop and let it dry for a day and then wet sand it out starting with 2000 and then working back to 1000 if you need something more agressive and then work back up to 2000.

Let the entire thing dry for about 2 days. In about a week you can go back with some Meguiars heavy cut cleaner or some clearcoat safe rubbing compund and work out the overspray and sort of fade in the work you did. You have to be careful with this stuff as it's harsh. Once you have faded it in and can't feel a ledge, take some polish without ANY wax in it. Polish the area, step back and crack open a cold one, fart and call it a "done deal."
Oh yea, you just saved yourself $300 if you had two doors to do. ;)

**You may not go through that elaborate porcess for a door jam. Make sure you at least get every bit of the rust out, seal it, prime and then paint and clear. The buffing and sanding smooth and all is nice, but I wouldn't say necessary in a spot like you described.
:)

Curt B. Shumaker

P.S. If you need help, PM me. I have done this more than I care to think about on many cars.

I like that! I'd say Curt's method is a bit overkill, but he's painted more cars than I have and if you follow his mad method, you're pretty much guaranteed it'll be perfect in the end. :)

Originally posted by Toolapcfan
I like that! I'd say Curt's method is a bit overkill, but he's painted more cars than I have and if you follow his mad method, you're pretty much guaranteed it'll be perfect in the end. :)


awww, come on, there is never *overkill* with rust repair;)


Cliffnotes:

sand it and remove all rust
seal it
bondo it to make it even
Prime
Paint and clear.

In your case--sand out the rust, seal and paint.


Done!

Curt B. Shumaker

Hey curt thats a sweet looking grille, any chance you might tell me? i like the mesh look, thanx....

I like the way it came out---nice and clean, but don't like the look of it on my car. I'll sell it to you complete. It's been hooked to the farme that was once in there so it would basically be like an entirely new grill---not just some chicken mesh.

Let me know if you are interested.

Thanks,
Curt B. Shumaker

Originally posted by shumax
I like the way it came out---nice and clean, but don't like the look of it on my car. I'll sell it to you complete. It's been hooked to the farme that was once in there so it would basically be like an entirely new grill---not just some chicken mesh.

Let me know if you are interested.

Thanks,
Curt B. Shumaker sweeeeeeettttttt how much ya want for it? i think it looks awsome curt, but um im glad you dont like it LOL, let me know how much ya want and i'll buy it off ya thank brother........