Losing the rust battle but not the war

"PowderHound" (PowderHound)
05/08/2019 at 14:34 • Filed to: None

I’ve got some rust spots that I greatly need to fix this summer but really don’t know the proper way to tackle this. Luckily I think it’s mostly surface rust and I can sand and repaint? Dunno, never done this before. The rear quarters seem like they will be easyish but I have no idea what to do on the roof. I’m also 100% unclear on if I wet sand, what grit to use, and pretty much everything. I have some primer and correct color touch-up paint but that’s about it right now. The rest of the body is a bit rough so I’m not looking for showroom quality stuff here. Does anyone have a great tutorial or just some easy step-by-steps of what to do with these spots?

DISCUSSION (19)

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > PowderHound
05/08/2019 at 15:04

I have a Mazda3, how do think things are going on my end?

TBH I think your wrx needs lots of work and I’ve tried to fix issues like that before unsuccessfully . It will look fine for a year then it will start to bubble again.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > PowderHound
05/08/2019 at 15:13

mostly surface rust and I can sand and repaint

I suspect I have some bad news.

Kinja'd!!!

Right there on the corner of the fender looks like a classic case of moisture from inside the fender, and that repair would therefore last about five minutes. It is, regardless, pitted. To properly sterilize will require wire brushing, access to the inside of the fender, and appropriate anti-rust chemicals. Anti-rust undercoat is now available, but due to the chemistry, I sort of doubt its ability to be 100% waterproof - but it might be a start, to later cover over with something more sealing.

On the face, you’ll need to treat with an anti-rust primer at the minimum unless you can get it 100% bright metal (a tall order, with pits), and once it’s been passivated you can use a filler primer (to help hide the pits) and recoat.

As a note: phosphoric rust remover *does* work (sometimes called “naval jelly”), but it’s bad to leave traces behind, and moisture behind, so you kind of need to wash it off manically and dry a long time to have hopes of good results with paint.

PowderHound > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
05/08/2019 at 15:30

So what I’m hearing you say is I need to buy an even older subaru and swap the drivetrain to that.

PowderHound > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
05/08/2019 at 15:32

Access should be pretty easy, just remove the rear bumper and the backside is kind of just hanging down there from what I remember. I’ll have to look again later today.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > PowderHound
05/08/2019 at 15:33

Yes, like a 2000 2.5 RS with a blow engine.

PowderHound > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
05/08/2019 at 15:38

I swear those things are still like $6k with a blown motor . it’s ridiculous

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > PowderHound
05/08/2019 at 15:43

My mom had one and totaled when she slid off the road, I was going to buy it and make it a race car before she totaled it. It was a hoot to drive. The car really fell on it’s face around 80 mph due to lack of power but the handling and gear box were brilliant . As close to a real rally car as I’ve ever driven.

ateamfan42 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
05/08/2019 at 15:46

I have a Mazda3, how do think things are going on my end?

Kinja'd!!!

PowderHound > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
05/08/2019 at 15:47

I should probably sell it but I continue to throw money at it because apparently I hate having money.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > PowderHound
05/08/2019 at 15:49

https://stockton.craigslist.org/cto/d/stockton-2007-subaru-impreza/6878523491.html

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > PowderHound
05/08/2019 at 15:50

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/d/manteca-1995-subaru-gc6-22l/6882134991.html

Oh my lord, what a joke!

vicali > PowderHound
05/08/2019 at 15:55

Give this a watch..

3point8isgreat > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
05/08/2019 at 16:07

This makes me sad, but also reaffirms what I thought was happening on my car.

At least I’ve already accepted that new non-metallic fenders are in the car’s future I guess.

GoodIdeaAtTheTime > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
05/08/2019 at 16:12

If you can find one that still has it quarter panels intact. I’m starting the process of repairing the lower quarters on mine. The rest is solid. For now...

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > PowderHound
05/08/2019 at 16:22

Are you me?!

PowderHound > mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/
05/08/2019 at 16:58

I’m sure by that measure, I’m a lot of people on here.

functionoverfashion > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
05/08/2019 at 17:08

Bone stock except ... paint, some body parts, suspension, wheels, brakes, seats, intake....

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > PowderHound
05/08/2019 at 17:43

True. I guess it’s part of caring about cars. Some people can simply throw a car aside when it gives them trouble like any appliance: people like us seem to have trouble giving up on them .

Monkey B > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
05/08/2019 at 18:43

I had a 2000 RS, it’s one of the very few cars of the 50+ I’ve owned I wish I still had.