Rust!
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43
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Rust!
Hi all, i need some rust repair advice.
I have a 1994 f-150 I bought this winter. It has two patches of rust that worry me. The first is above the right rear wheel as you can see in the first picture below. It's about 2 inches long by about .75 inches wide. Is there any reasonable way I could repair this myself and make it look good or would I be better off trying to get it done by a pro? If I did get it done by a pro about how much would that cost?
The second spot is in the left side door jam, appearance is less of an issue here. Could I just clean it out with a wire brush than cover it with some rust preventing paint?
thanks
~eriC
I have a 1994 f-150 I bought this winter. It has two patches of rust that worry me. The first is above the right rear wheel as you can see in the first picture below. It's about 2 inches long by about .75 inches wide. Is there any reasonable way I could repair this myself and make it look good or would I be better off trying to get it done by a pro? If I did get it done by a pro about how much would that cost?
The second spot is in the left side door jam, appearance is less of an issue here. Could I just clean it out with a wire brush than cover it with some rust preventing paint?
thanks
~eriC
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
Rust!
Typical wheel well rust repair work will not last more than a few years. The inner wheel well support is causing the problem. Notice the rust in your picture. The rust and resulting crack run horizontal. Inside there is a metal support that runs horizontal to the wheel well. This support happens to make for a really good shelve for road dirt to sit on. The dirt collects moisture and sits in there wet, for days and weeks at a time. You cant get it out. In time it forms into a very hard substance. The only long term repair is to remove the inner wheel well and replace with a hand made series of brackets. I did this to my truck and have had no problems since. As for the door jamb the rust does not seem to be through yet. A few pokes with a screw driver would confirm this. I would also check the other side of the sheet metal under the rockers. Hard to say about cost. Some shops wont even do rust repair. No money in it. A shop would need to see the vehicle before giving an estimate. Good news is most shops dont charge for an estimate.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 589
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From: Crossroads of America-Ind
Rust!
Both of those spots are clearly coming thru from behind. Unfortunately the only way to fix it right is to cut it out and replace it with good sheet metal. After it's replaced paint the back side with your favorite rust preventive paint. POR-15, Zero-Rust, etc. Those are the 2 worst spots on 80 to 96 Fords for catching and holding dirt. Once it gets stuck there it stays wet and then it starts to breed rust. You can take a look here to see what one of those door jam repair panels looks like. Good luck,
Last edited by CustomCab4x4; Apr 8, 2003 at 10:59 PM.
