Rust under drip rails.
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Rust under drip rails.
I hope I am posting this in the right place.
I was just trying to find out if anyone on here new anything about how to fix rust holes under the drip rails. Also, My cab has rust hole at the front top corner on each side of the cab above the windshield. It seems like metal on the trucks changed from 1976 on. Any ideas?
Sorry I forgot. The truck is a 1979 f-150 custom.
Thanks
I was just trying to find out if anyone on here new anything about how to fix rust holes under the drip rails. Also, My cab has rust hole at the front top corner on each side of the cab above the windshield. It seems like metal on the trucks changed from 1976 on. Any ideas?
Sorry I forgot. The truck is a 1979 f-150 custom.
Thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,118
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From: Williamson, NY
The best way to fix any rust hole in metal is to cut out the bad metal and replace it with new metal of the same thickness. How the new metal is attached varies, but usually it is welded or glued in using panel adhesive or a combination of the two. For under the drip rail I would think the panel adhesive method would be the easiest way to go, but for the channel I would recommend MIG or TIG welding in the metal. Also I would be willing to bet that there is more rust behind your windshield gasket that you can't see, so the first order of business is to remove your windshield and gasket and access the damage. The windshield channel has many different profiles to it and as far as I know no one sells a patch panel for this area. The easiest way to make this repair is remove the rusted metal as usual but instead of trying to make a single patch panel that incorporates all the different curves, I like to make smaller multiple patch sections and then weld them together. For example, I would first weld in the flat section that the gasket slides over, then weld in the the small curved piece that is 90 degrees to the one I just did, then weld in the curved roof section last, and finally grind it all smooth. On my 77 f150 I did not have any visible rust around my windshield, but after removing the windshield and sand blasting I found about 7 or 8 rust holes. It was a slow tedious repair, but it looked good as new when I was done.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,764
Likes: 39
The best way to fix any rust hole in metal is to cut out the bad metal and replace it with new metal of the same thickness. How the new metal is attached varies, but usually it is welded or glued in using panel adhesive or a combination of the two. For under the drip rail I would think the panel adhesive method would be the easiest way to go, but for the channel I would recommend MIG or TIG welding in the metal. Also I would be willing to bet that there is more rust behind your windshield gasket that you can't see, so the first order of business is to remove your windshield and gasket and access the damage. The windshield channel has many different profiles to it and as far as I know no one sells a patch panel for this area. The easiest way to make this repair is remove the rusted metal as usual but instead of trying to make a single patch panel that incorporates all the different curves, I like to make smaller multiple patch sections and then weld them together. For example, I would first weld in the flat section that the gasket slides over, then weld in the the small curved piece that is 90 degrees to the one I just did, then weld in the curved roof section last, and finally grind it all smooth. On my 77 f150 I did not have any visible rust around my windshield, but after removing the windshield and sand blasting I found about 7 or 8 rust holes. It was a slow tedious repair, but it looked good as new when I was done.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Williamson, NY
Action4478, I really don't track my hours, but for the windshield channel repair I think I spent one weekend on the metal work and getting some epoxy primer on the repair. Most of work I do on my truck happens on weekends along with the honey do list of course. Right now I'm doing the bodywork on my doors and fenders, which are close to being done. I have been working on the frame-off restoration of my 77 F150 for 2.5 years now and I'm hoping to be driving the truck by next summer.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,764
Likes: 39
Action4478, I really don't track my hours, but for the windshield channel repair I think I spent one weekend on the metal work and getting some epoxy primer on the repair. Most of work I do on my truck happens on weekends along with the honey do list of course. Right now I'm doing the bodywork on my doors and fenders, which are close to being done. I have been working on the frame-off restoration of my 77 F150 for 2.5 years now and I'm hoping to be driving the truck by next summer.
can't stay ahead of it ,,,1/4's new from ford (rusted again )
doors from the south (now rusted )
rockers ,floor ,& firewall (from a wreck ( rocker's rusted again)
Last time ,1/8 diamond plate in the bed , rad & fender support ,hood ,fenders & grill shell from ford (did the 79 style ) now no rust ,,managed to dent the l f fender , hood & grill shell
I have an entire rust free truck to replace the body ,,may never have the time to tackle it ...
It still looks good from a distance ...
