JHZR2
Staff member
Im helping a friend with a car that has a hole in the rear floorboard. It is a rust hole, maybe 2 inches by 6 inches or so (just my memory, not sure that this is exact).
As I see it, there are a few options:
1) rustproof/encapsulate the rust, then make some fiberglass structure overtop to enclose the area. Likely not preferred for a number of reasons, including unlike materials.
2) make a piece of sheetmetal to a size overlapping he rust area, encapsulate the rust and sand down adjacent metal bare. Use some sort of epoxy, JB weld, etc. to bond the two parts. Then prime and paint all surfaces. Likely not preferred because of a bonding agent used, but likely better than fiberglass, and potentially actually easier.
3) Do very much the same as in #2, where we encapsulate the rust, then sand to bare metal. Make overlapping clear metal, and then use some sort of a welder to combine the two pieces of metal. Id imagine that this would be most preferable, as it makes a true one-piece sructure.
With either of the metal options, Id probably drill a hole in the center and then spray paint/rustproofing compound, etc. against the inner surface, to make sure that there is no bare metal.
So, which is the best method? If #3, what is the best means of welding the two parts together? I am good at soldering electronics, and I'd imagine that there is an equivalent "stick weld" or something like this.
Keep in mind that if I was doing it, this would be my first try, so it needs to be easy to learn. I don't mind learning, as since Im helping, any parts are paid for, and any tools, things required to do the job are both paid for and mine... Pretty nice deal. I just want to be sure that Im doing the right thing, or if not doable by me, that we are getting somebody else to do the right thing.
Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.
As I see it, there are a few options:
1) rustproof/encapsulate the rust, then make some fiberglass structure overtop to enclose the area. Likely not preferred for a number of reasons, including unlike materials.
2) make a piece of sheetmetal to a size overlapping he rust area, encapsulate the rust and sand down adjacent metal bare. Use some sort of epoxy, JB weld, etc. to bond the two parts. Then prime and paint all surfaces. Likely not preferred because of a bonding agent used, but likely better than fiberglass, and potentially actually easier.
3) Do very much the same as in #2, where we encapsulate the rust, then sand to bare metal. Make overlapping clear metal, and then use some sort of a welder to combine the two pieces of metal. Id imagine that this would be most preferable, as it makes a true one-piece sructure.
With either of the metal options, Id probably drill a hole in the center and then spray paint/rustproofing compound, etc. against the inner surface, to make sure that there is no bare metal.
So, which is the best method? If #3, what is the best means of welding the two parts together? I am good at soldering electronics, and I'd imagine that there is an equivalent "stick weld" or something like this.
Keep in mind that if I was doing it, this would be my first try, so it needs to be easy to learn. I don't mind learning, as since Im helping, any parts are paid for, and any tools, things required to do the job are both paid for and mine... Pretty nice deal. I just want to be sure that Im doing the right thing, or if not doable by me, that we are getting somebody else to do the right thing.
Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.
