Rocker Repair

"PelicanHazard" (pelicanhazard) 05/05/2014 at 12:25 • Filed to: rocker panel, repair, body shop, dodge dart

1

7

So. Turns out my car has some pretty significant rocker panel damage. It's only on the driver side, but stripped the paint off and started rusting the metal. I don't remember crashing into anything that badly. Guy who did the estimate for a local body shop thinks that since I street park, perhaps a snowplow in the winter pushed some ice or something into the car. (I did have to dig it out many, many times.) The estimate comes out to ~$700 from an independent shop (haven't checked a dealer or other shop), but they can't see it until June 2nd at the earliest. :(

Party-vi > PelicanHazard 05/05/2014 at 12:26

2

If you're only worried about rust, tape the area off, wire-brush the surface rust off, clean and then spray some new red over it. I can't imagine the dent is affecting performance.

For Sweden > Party-vi 05/05/2014 at 12:31

1

Do you know how many wind tunnel hours went into creating that rocker panel?!

The answer is probably less than 2.

PelicanHazard > Party-vi 05/05/2014 at 12:32

0

It's not, nor is it even very visible. If the theory that this happened in winter is correct, I didn't notice until last Friday because the dent is near-invisible when standing close to the car. You can only really see it by dropping down to its level (as in the picture) or standing some two or three widths from the car, which I can't usually do as it spends most of its time street parked or in a crowded parking lot.

Good idea, though, as the rust is my main concern; I'm not even worried about matching the paint color. Having never done something like that, do you have some tips?

CalzoneGolem > PelicanHazard 05/05/2014 at 12:32

0

I've always wondered are rockers structural or are they more like side bumpers

Chairman Kaga > PelicanHazard 05/05/2014 at 12:37

1

Kill the rust ASAP. I'd wire-wheel the area to bare metal, then get some epoxy primer on it ASAP. Failing that, pickle it then prime it. http://www.metaltreaters.net/phosphating-ch…

You can get metal prep stuff like pickler at pretty much any auto paint supply store.

For Phase 2, get some Bondo to fill it, then prime and paint it. Find a local paint shop that mixes custom colors and can sell it to you in a rattle can. For <$60 you should be able to do it yourself in a weekend.

There are LOTS of quality YouTube tutorials on DIY panel repair. This guy is pretty well recommended. I've used several of his techniques to fix issues with my Alfa.

https://www.youtube.com/user/customspr…

Party-vi > PelicanHazard 05/05/2014 at 12:37

1

Be careful and take your time. I did do the same thing to a similar rust spot on my Cherokee (red as well haha). First clean the area you're going to tape/work on, then apply tape around the rust (in the shape of a square is easiest). A hand-held wire brush will work to get the loose surface rust off, and you might want to use something like mineral spirits to clean the surface for paint. I was lucky enough to have an air-powered cutoff wheel with a wire brush attachment which made it easier. When you paint, I would suggest taping news paper around the area to avoid any over spray. Don't hold the can close or it'll start to collect and drip. A few coats should be OK. It won't look pretty, but it will control the rust issue you've got. Good luck.

Meatcoma > PelicanHazard 05/05/2014 at 13:20

0

Could have been a curb or a frozen snow pile that you got too close to.