Rust on cab!

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Dec 30, 2003 | 06:48 PM

firebolt

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Rust on cab!

I guess beings I'm fixing the old girl up, I might as well go all the way and fix body too. I have rust on the top of the cab on the front corner where the top curves around. I was wanting to try to fix myself. Don't have alot of experience(have fixed couple of dents and such before). Any suggestions?

Dec 31, 2003 | 03:50 AM

Aekisu

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From: Willamette Valley Oregon

<cr>
Assuming it hasn't rusted through....

Sand to clean metal
Treat with rust converter
Prime with epoxy primer
Finish as desired

Dec 31, 2003 | 05:08 AM

firebolt

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I guess it's what you would call rusted through. Has pretty good size hole. You can see the inner layer. How do I fix that? 1990 f150

Dec 31, 2003 | 01:26 PM

Aekisu

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From: Willamette Valley Oregon

<cr>
The only correct fix is a patch of new metal. Without a picture, its hard to tell what would be needed. My best guess at this point is...

You have two issues to deal with since it has rusted through. The inner area (which I'm assuming is also rusted) and the exterior area.

For the inner area, I would treat the rust with a rust converter and then paint with something like Zero Rust or Por-15. Of course, this means you have to cut out an area of the exterior metal to gain access.

For the exterior area, I would take a piece of metal from a donor panel, cut a patch big enough to fix the problem area, and then work the patch into shape. After it was worked into shape, I would fit it to the problem area, weld it and finish as needed.

Dec 31, 2003 | 05:07 PM

firebolt

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Thank you for the help. I really appreciate it!!!

Dec 31, 2003 | 06:35 PM

firebolt

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Me again, not a welder! Any other way of fixing?

Jan 4, 2004 | 03:14 AM

llee

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From: Under the hood

back when I was 16 (22 years ago) I had a 74 mustang. The quarter panels were rusted pretty bad. Since I dont have a welder either I used a pop rivet gun. OH and then LOTS of bondo..... You will never hear myself or any of my friends say it looked that good either! My advice is that if you cant weld it then do as much as the prep work as possible then take it to a shop that can weld.