Surface rust???

S

slvr-bullet

New member
This started happening this winter and I try to keep the car as clean as possible (use Zaino stuff after every wash).



I'm not sure if the rust around the actual centre rust spot is surface rust. How can I remove this myself (if possible) and stop it from rusting?



rust.jpg




Thanks
 
Take it to a body shop and get it fixed man. You can do it yourself, but it will take some work, tools and materials. Sand, sand, sand, self etching primer, possibly glaze, primer sealer, base coat, clear coat.
 
It's hard to tell from that shot, but that might be rusting through from the inside, which means it's a lot worse than it looks and a body shop repair is indicated. If it is from the outside, you ought to be able to sand it, put some rust conversion stuff on there, prime, paint, etc., but it will likely be a noticeable repair.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
It's hard to tell from that shot, but that might be rusting through from the inside, which means it's a lot worse than it looks
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-AND-



David Fermani said:
The only way to repair this is to cut it out or replace the entire panel...
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Does sorta look like it's blistering from a rust-through, huh? Being right near the inner lip/ledge at edge of the panel is a good clue that this is more serious than it looks.



This is a good example of how trapped dirt can retain moisture, leading to serious corrosion problems. With all the emphasis on defect removal/LSPs/etc. here, I often fear that the importance of *thorough* washing gets overlooked. Cleaning those out-of-sight areas can make all the difference.



For the time being, just claying off the obvious rust (or using something like AutoInt's "B") and then treating the (outside/accessible) point of rust-through with a converter and some touchup paint will at least render a superficial cosmetic improvement. I've done that on hideously rusted-out service loaners and it held up OK for a month or two...and looked better than having a big rust spot.
 
Replace the whole panel... better safe than sorry IMO. No point in paying for the whole panel to be sanded down and repainted, when it could just come right back (unless pre-sealed with something like POR-15). I'd just replace it all though...
 
Thanks for all your input guys. I just want a quick fix at the moment because I intend to get the whole car repainted in the future.



I might do the clay thing just so that it doesn't look bad. That whole side of the car (passenger) looks clean and smooth and then you see this hideous rust spot. Drives me crazy.



Btw, it's on the panel by the wheel well on the rear passenger side.
 
yeah dude, replace the panel. If you're going to have the car repainted in the future, getting the new panel now shouldn't hurt. Plus if you maintain the car properly before the paint job, that panel should be ok.



Is this on your accord?:|:|:|
 
Yeah, it's the 1/4 panel.



No, don't tell me that :( Is there any other way instead of replacing the whole panel...I mean just for that spot? everything else seems perfect.



It's on a '96 civic hatch.
 
I don't suggest replacing a section on your 1/4. Bad idea/improper repair. It's actually more work making sure the patch is perfect in the middle of a panel instead of at the intended seam. Before you decide to put this kind of money (heavy rust repair + repaint) on your car, I'd check to see if it's worth it. Probably not. Just to replace/refinish the 1/4 alone is atleast $1500. Then add to paint the rest of the car - several thousand. Decide where it's best to cut your looses.....



Are there any other areas of rust on your car?



Anything other than cutting out the rotted area will not be a long term repair that will eventually return much worse.
 
Well that rusted part is actually where the rear plastic bumper is (see pic)

himawa-02.jpg




Not really. There are little pits and the hood has some paint bubbling but that is the most rust that is noticable on the car.



I think my best bet is to get that portion cut out and replaced instead of the whole panel.
 
You can pull the surface rust off with a claybar. Easily enough to get rid of the "eyesore" component of it all. But 95% of all rust starts from the inside out so by the time you actually see it it's too late to effectively stop it. Part of living in the rust belt is knowing how to deal with rust. If it was on any sort of chrome or shiny metal I'd be quick to say glass cleaner and steel wool will eliminate it in a heartbeat. But on paint your really limited. You can keep the rust off the surface fairly easily with the claybar but it's still going to be there under the surface until you get it replaced.
 
slvr-bullet said:
Well that rusted part is actually where the rear plastic bumper is (see pic)

himawa-02.jpg




Not really. There are little pits and the hood has some paint bubbling but that is the most rust that is noticable on the car.



I think my best bet is to get that portion cut out and replaced instead of the whole panel.
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That's a much better picture. Problem with doing a section patch in that area is there's alot of contours around it. You've got the tail light pocket & the area that sinks in under the bumper cover. It's not like doing a patch in drywall. There's a good chance that the cause of this could be from improper draining behind the tail light. If so, the inner 1/4 and/or floor and/or rear body panel could also be rusted? You won't be able to tell until you remove all the trim & bumper cover.



Also, on this car, they could do a "belt cut" section replacement of the 1/4. That would be done below the 1/4 window, instead of up near the roof. It's a little cheaper.



Attached is the schematic for the replacement operation and time involved.
 

Attachments

Damn....$$1150!!! Just because of a mediocre spot.



Thanks David. I really appreciate all the info you have provided.



Too bad you weren't located a little closer to me. I'd get you to work on my car :)
 
Well I finally had a chance to wash the car and clay that rust spot. Man does it do wonders :D Rust is all "gone" and so is the eye sore.



It seems like the paint is cracking a little in that area and I guess the rust is "seeping" out from it and getting around the crack.



For now I'll keep claying it to avoid the eye sore but who knows how long I'll have this car. It's already 12yrs old. Runs fine most of the time.



Thanks all for your help/input.
 
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