Well, it was a matter of time I guess. After owning this truck for about 6 months now, I just noticed this rust coming up. I went to my local body shop to see what could be done. They quoted me 300$ to clean it up and put chip protector on both sides. Needless to say, I decided not to pay out the ass to do what I thought was a simple fix. Seeing as there is about 2 feet of snow, I won't be able to tackle this problem until the summer. So, what I want to know is what advice everyone could give me for this problem.
Rusting Rocker Panels
HartBK23
21 - 36 of 36 Posts
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298 Posts
I was quoted 1000$ to have the rocker panels cut out, new ones welded in and painted. But I'm still happy with my decision, 400$ for both sides wasn't bad and I can get them fixed for free if need be. I still need to clean up a few more very minor rust spots to give it that flawless appearance. I have to takle the frame/ under body as well, but good luck big jay.
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537 Posts
Well, I don't have good news. I worked for 8 solid hours, and didn't get everything done. Also means I didn't get pics. Even worse, I haven't solved the problem. When I got the running board off, everything looked like pure vanilla. Once I got to grinding the rust off, things went south. Turns out I have 2 small holes - one about the size of a quarter, the other a nickel. Well, since I'd already gone this far, I used the prep materials in the POR-15, then brushed it on. It certainly looks like it's doing the job, and it filled the little pits that grinding exposed. It did not, however, fill the holes. Oh yeah, to make matters worse, it decides to pour rain today - first time in almost 2 months. So now I'll need to cut, weld, paint. Or, more likely, pay someone else to do it. Sigh... Somehow I think they won't use Astroglide when I take a high hard one over this
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298 Posts
Unfortunately, today I noticed some brown rust coming through the very thick clear coat on my "fixed" rocker panels. I'm starting to worry that if I take it back to the shop that fixed it before, all they'll do is respray them and advise me to sell the truck again. I'm going to end up having the rocker panels cut out and new ones welded in. I know it already.
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3,705 Posts
Unfortunately, that is really the only way to stop rust in a seam/pinch weld area. :rant:
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1,110 Posts
It's only been a few weeks! Your body guy surely did not seal things up at all or grind that out. I know it will return eventually... but not in 6 weeks... not if cleaned out and sealed up.
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2,386 Posts
What do you expect? Fiberglass over spray foam does not fix rust, they did a half ass band aid is about all i see. I know a good body shop in roseville, they did all the work on my truck
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298 Posts
The shop is owned by a family friend. The only reason I went there is because I thought I'd get a deal, which I definitely did not. Not even quality work. I wish I would've done some searching first, but its too late in the summer for me to put even more money into my truck. I'll be leaving for school at the end of the month, so I really need to conserve money. :rant:
I'll post some pics after I get outta work.
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1,219 Posts
thats why you do it right the first time, so instead of spending $1000 off the bat now your gonna have roughly $1400 into...probably more when the next body shop gets into it and sees someone has already attempted to fix it and they'll now have to undo their work too.
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2,386 Posts
That sucks and i know the feeling about no money for the truck. I barely can come up with money for repairs these days. Man i wish i still lived at home sometimes :jester:
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298 Posts
That's the driver's side. The passenger side is doing fine. It seriously makes me want to take a sawzall to it and cut that pinch weld seam off the entire truck lol. And I know, I still need to tackle that surface rust on the frame.
Joined
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537 Posts
UPDATE - Well, went back to the DIY garage for unrelated work, and found that my repair didn't take. So, that means I'm going to try again. This was probably due to me screwing up the prep before POR-15ing it. Also, I have the POR-15 fiberglass sheets, so I'm going to try to tackle the 2 small holes. I'll - TRY - to get pics, but since I'm pushed for time at the garage, it may or may not happen.
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150 Posts
Wondering if you guys know about the defect in assembly line.
Under the carpet on driverside by kick panel there is a glued piece of sheet metal. Well the glue doesnt cover the panel all the way and alows for water to rundown the windsheild into the cowl and under the carpet were it sits and doesnt drain. I found this out when I removed my carpet to inspect why water wasnt draining. I shampooed the carpet, sealed the panel, chassis saved (eqivalant to pore 15), and added some Rammat to the floors and put the carpet back in. Also prayed the whole under chassis while I was at it.
Under the carpet on driverside by kick panel there is a glued piece of sheet metal. Well the glue doesnt cover the panel all the way and alows for water to rundown the windsheild into the cowl and under the carpet were it sits and doesnt drain. I found this out when I removed my carpet to inspect why water wasnt draining. I shampooed the carpet, sealed the panel, chassis saved (eqivalant to pore 15), and added some Rammat to the floors and put the carpet back in. Also prayed the whole under chassis while I was at it.
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