Well, I went to my friend's house today to wash my car, and have a look at his 1600. When I was washing my car I noriced that the rear fender rust has jsut begun to break the paint, so instead of bubbled red paint, there is a slight hint of brown on the rear fenders. Also, it's got the typical third brake light rust, which was non existant in september, is now a huge spot that 'drips' down to the bumper. Disappointing since the car was stored most of the winter. I noticed a few other little spots here and there that really discouraged me. The worst part is that my friend had his fixed in the exact same spots less than 6 months ago, and the rust has returned to a condition worse than when he started. I also know that other people have repaired the rust to find that it returned, as well as rust in non visible parts that really compromise the structural integrity of the car.

So basically I am torn. I planned to bring it to a dealer or high quality body shop, and drop about 2000usd to have the body returned to stock condition, no rust, and a frexh coat of paint. I expected this to last forever, and that the rust would never come back. If this is not the case, I would probably be better off selling the car, and since mint NXs are literally impossible to find in Canada, I would have to go to possibly the southern states to find a true rust free car.

So I'd like to know, who has repeired rust on your car, and has it come back?
Also, what are your opinions on me selling the car and bringing one up from the states?

I've repaired rust on my car, and it hasn't come back.

Make sure you get a quality job done that removes *all* of the rust, and rustproof it yearly with an oil-based spray, like Krown.

A halfassed job will rust through again, a good one probably won't.

I had an a-pillar replaced in 1997, another a-pillar replaced in 2000, along with rust that had spread under the windshield. Third brake light rust was fixed in 2001.

I don't have a trace anywhere now, even under the car.

James

james, did you do the work yourself?
i'm planning on painting my car mid-end of summer...so i want to know what i'm in for from a body shop...

shumax did a super job on his car...search for it and i bet you can come up with it

Hey thanks! Click on my website below for some links to the shots.

Rust can be repaired IF you get it in time. Surface rust isn't bad. You can dig it all out, fill it with puddy, sand, prime, paint and clear. It's a process. Spend the money for good products, take your time and you will be fine. Cheat yourself on any of those combos and you might as well not even do it.

If the rust has created a hole---you had better just have someone cut that section out and weld a new piece of metal in. There is no sense in trying to repair that type of rust.

If you need help, or are close to Columbus, Ohio I would be happy to help you.

Curt B. Shumaker

I had a look at your site, looks like your car came out really well!

My rust is a bit worse than yours, but not by much. What scares me most is all the 10mm bolts that hold the body work on. I tried to remove the front bumper cover, but the first three bolts I tried sheared right off due to them being corroded into place. I'm not sure how to get around that. I also had a look at the interior behind the carpet, I was surprised that it is fairly corrosion free, that's a releif!

Thanks for the offer for help, but I'm near Toronto, Canada, so I don't think you could help me very much :p

You can fix rust permenant. My dad has done body work all his life and I have done alot myself. In your case the best thing to do is just take it to a reputable body shop and ask them how they will repair it.
The right way to go about fixing the problem is to basically remove all the rust areas with a grinder and or cut the infected areas out. Replace the sheet metal with new metal and go from there.
A lot of body shops will just grind down the rust and fill it with Bondo. This will work for a few months, maybe a year or so but it will come back. Another way is to grind down the rust and replace it with fiberglass. This will work longer than bondo but it will eventually come back.
If you take a screw driver and poke and dig at the rust you will probably find a hole somewhere in the metal.
Get some estimates at reputable shops and weigh out what would be best for you to do.
Good Luck!

I'm going to get some digital pics of it now...
edit: no batteries in digicam :rolleyes:

i had a hole on my car and i grinded all the rust and used "all metal"... it comes with a hardener and when it hardens its as strong as metal. u could probably get it at body supply stores. this stuff is awesome. cutting out metal and welding new one in makes the sheetmetal weak. i had no choice but to do this method because i am on a budget. didn't cost me more than $15 for a pint. oh btw, u have to shape up the back side of the hole in order for this stuff to stay.


Ben