I got an estimate to replace my rockers. Ford does not just sell the rocker panels. I will need to provide them. I have had some bad experiences with aftermarket body panels. Poor formation, poor alignment, thin gauge metal, greater tendency to rust......

A simple Google search turned up these

Does anyone have any other recommendations where to buy rocker panels?

 

spec says they are as thick as original, and EXACT 3D fit... and coated to resist rust .......... three reviews, all +5.


My son bought some and they worked great. He used the special bonding glue to attach them ( you overlap seams like 1/4 inch) and did very little wire feed welding on them.

 

Hi Steve- Wow. You actually used these panels and were impressed? I guess I got lucky with my first Google search.

I saw many of them on ebay and Amazon from motorcity metalworks that do not look like the originals at all. If I do this I want it to look like did when i bought it.

Did your son do any metal treatment on the rocker cavity while it was apart? If so, do you know what he used? I want to treat this area and go over the underside of the truck to stop what rust is there. Unfortunately I see no consensus on the best way to treat and stop existing rust on the undercarriage. Rust Bullet, POR15, Magic Paint, Rust Encapsulator ......
Individually they all sound great, but I see no unbiased testing.

 

you want a RUST CONVERTER like POR 15 or similar. I bought a gallon off e-bay of similar... you want something that says " chemical reaction to turn rust into a hard black oxide surface"... then you paint over that... you don't want a paint as t he base.. CONVERTER is what you want... it is a water base liquid that you spray or paint and turns to a hard, black oxide surface.

 

Now I am confused. My understanding was that POR15 was not a rust converter, rather it was a rust encapsulator like rust bullet, Chassis Saver or Rust Encapsulator (Eastwood). I have used POR15 previously. Seems to have worked well. Videos of Rust Bullet claim to be better with less prep needed, but these videos were from the manufacturer. I have used Eastwood products before and have been impressed. Chassis Saver was recommended on this forum.

Like I said, I used POR15 years ago. I just wondered what everyone was using today.

 

OOPS... my bad on the POR15...........I have not had good luck with any type of "paint"................. this is what I used.. Like I said, a chemical reaction that turns the rust into a HARD BLACK OZIDE, that you can paint or apply undercoating to it.
My opinion is PAINT is for slightly rusted metal that you wire brush and clean... the CONVERTER you needle gun / chip / grind whatever you can, but there is STILL imbedded RUST / pits in the metal... this is the stuff you use then..


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rust-Conver...sAAOxyeglTXrdt

 

their add --- AdCoat Rust Converter and Primer creates a permanent chemical bond, reacting with rust and converting it to a layer of magnetite; a black iron oxide mineral which does not react with oxygen or moisture. Your new surface will be rust proof. In addition, it doubles as a high quality latex metal primer and bonding agent for oil-based coatings - such as acrylic, enamel, epoxy, polyurethane and moisture-cured urethane - AND waterbased coatings not susceptible to tannin staining.

 

I am currently getting quotes to replace my rocker panels. We have been discussing how to treat existing rust in doors and the underside of the truck.

After reading all this I wondered if someone offered this service. I read about Ziebart and Krown coatings. Are there others? Are these for older trucks like mine with existing rust that must be arrested and contained?

 

you better talk to Ziebart...... they use to use a tar/ undercoating to seal up NEW metal and try to keep it from rusting...... I am not familiar with them using any type of metal CONVERTER that treats rusted metal... ask them.

 

...just bought a gallon this morining from their website for $49 Shipped!

 

Sorry, but a gallon of ?

 

AdCoat Rust Converter....The stuff Steve's been talking about

 

Great! Thanks for the clarification.

I have been reading reviews on Ziebart as they are the only rust service within a reasonable distance from me. They don't get glowing reviews. I guess a little elbow grease will have to do it.