Sheet metal, sealer and rivets topped with sealer sound like the easiest, fastest option, so that's what I am going to do. Will update later this week as progress is made.
Fixing a Rust Hole?
- Thread starter sciphi
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Once rust has started, it is tough to really stop it without parts replacement. Especially with internal rust.
But the rust stop sprays can work well. Clean it out first, and make sure it's dry. Also warm!
Then you can repair it by whatever means.
But the rust stop sprays can work well. Clean it out first, and make sure it's dry. Also warm!
Then you can repair it by whatever means.
How are the odds for finding another 99 Le Sabre with a decent wheel well on some junkyard. Cut the portion by a good margin from the rusted area and have it welded at a body shop.
Pretty good. I do not have the means to cut anything out, however.
Sadly I will have to buy a sheet of steel, as I do not have a junk VCR laying around. Maybe some friends do. Fortunately there are many home-improvement and craft/hobby stores around me. Well, there's dumpster-diving!
Sadly I will have to buy a sheet of steel, as I do not have a junk VCR laying around. Maybe some friends do. Fortunately there are many home-improvement and craft/hobby stores around me. Well, there's dumpster-diving!
I am surprised nobody mentioned long strand fiberglass body filler. I make a support area using duct tape, then plastering the tape with the filler. When it cures I just pull the tape off and I am left with a very strong patch. Then I spray the area with vegetable oil because it soaks into every area and over time becomes a very good polymerized non hardening coating.
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I am going to dive in this weekend when time permits. Current plan is to rivet a new piece o steel in there and coat well with rust-prevention products so it will not come back.
Also may do another hole found in the rocker panels as long as I'm in the rust-fixing mood. Grrr...
Also may do another hole found in the rocker panels as long as I'm in the rust-fixing mood. Grrr...
That hole needs mighty putty.
Mighty putty! You know, at this point I'm so fed up with this I just may try it!
Kidding.
Kidding.
I know this is an 'elitist' thing to say, but is getting another car an option?
Once you start finding/battling rust holes, it is a non-ending battle that you will never win...
If you've found rust in a wheelwell that has allowed water into the floor, I guarantee your floor is rusting through as well. You also mentioned the rocker panels were starting to go - I see a LOT of Late-1990's Pontiac Grand Prix's where the rocker panels are completely gone...seems to be weak spot on these cars (I thinks its the same chassis - a W car?)
If you LIKE this kind of challenge, then by all means, have at her! But if this kind of thing frustrates you, you'll soon be looking for a cliff to push this car off....
Once you start finding/battling rust holes, it is a non-ending battle that you will never win...
If you've found rust in a wheelwell that has allowed water into the floor, I guarantee your floor is rusting through as well. You also mentioned the rocker panels were starting to go - I see a LOT of Late-1990's Pontiac Grand Prix's where the rocker panels are completely gone...seems to be weak spot on these cars (I thinks its the same chassis - a W car?)
If you LIKE this kind of challenge, then by all means, have at her! But if this kind of thing frustrates you, you'll soon be looking for a cliff to push this car off....
Hey, my name is Cliff!
Just let the holes go. It's more aerodynamic and better air conditioning...
Just let the holes go. It's more aerodynamic and better air conditioning...
Fixing this one is still cheaper than a payment on another car.
And this is an H-body.
And this is an H-body.
Bought the steel sheet, rivets, rivet gun, wire wheel, JB Weld and scraper today. Already have undercoating, but thinking of picking up some Rustoleum or similar coating to put on before applying the undercoating. POR sounds nice, but is a bit too pricey at the moment for the amount I'd use.
addyguy, thanks for the encouragement. I'm trying to do this one right the first time. And everybody who has posted has been helpful in walking me through this so I can do it right!
addyguy, thanks for the encouragement. I'm trying to do this one right the first time. And everybody who has posted has been helpful in walking me through this so I can do it right!
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Lots of people let fender liners go especially at the bottom where they meet the rocker panels. Any fix is better than no fix, there is a tremendous amount of sand, water, and salt flung off the tire that would eat rockers from the inside out! It was a good thing you caught this when you did. Sad you have steel fender liners, my saturn has plastic ones and I don't think it's exclusive to my steel-shunning car! Maybe steel is quieter for the buick experience?
I might once it gets a little warmer.
And I figure out how to take out the trim without destroying everything! Time to consult the factory service manuals...
And I figure out how to take out the trim without destroying everything! Time to consult the factory service manuals...
A patch is in!
It isn't pretty. It is a patch held in by rivets and slathered in JB Weld. The photos do not show the JB Weld put on the panel after drilling, but before riveting the panel in. Some has seeped down to the rivet heads, which is a good thing. The red dots are Sharpie used to mark holes that did not get drilled because the rivets already in were holding the panel quite well.
Next step once the JB cures is to put Rustoleum over the area, put a second and third coat on, and finally a couple layers of undercoating. This will get done as time permits, as this is my daily driver that gets driven daily.
It isn't pretty. It is a patch held in by rivets and slathered in JB Weld. The photos do not show the JB Weld put on the panel after drilling, but before riveting the panel in. Some has seeped down to the rivet heads, which is a good thing. The red dots are Sharpie used to mark holes that did not get drilled because the rivets already in were holding the panel quite well.
Next step once the JB cures is to put Rustoleum over the area, put a second and third coat on, and finally a couple layers of undercoating. This will get done as time permits, as this is my daily driver that gets driven daily.
Took a drive with it today, it's solid!
Now for some time to paint...
Now for some time to paint...
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