I imagine this has been covered before, but I could use help with the rust on my driver side door. I would like to know how I can fix so that it looks good but not a final fix. I do not have the funds for final body work and paint, but would like to fix for daily driving. I also have a bubble on the driver side fender. I have attached a picture of both. finally, I have never done any type of body work, but willing to learn. thanks for the help.
I understand that. But for me at least, that's leaning more towards a finished door. I'm looking for a temporary fix that would make the area look presentable but understandably not fixed correctly. I do not have the ability to weld, so is there a simpler way. Down the road I will be doing the body and paint. Thanks
Buying a set of rust free doors is another option. One you get in there it is likely to look a lot worse.
I know I'll catch hell for this with all of the purists here on the forum. BONDO It's a 2 part body filler that you mix, apply and sand smooth. First you will need to clean the damaged area as much as possible, then you will need to push the ragged metal edges in a bit so they don't protrude, after that you slap on some BONDO and let it set up, then you grind it down, sand it, maybe fill it a bit more and sand again, then prime & paint. Under $50.00 and done in an afternoon in your driveway. :TU:
I agree about the purist, but I will take of this correctly down the road. Should I put something in the hole prior to bond?
Joe are you in an area that has a lot of rain,snow,moisture in general? If so use short strand or cream tiger hair body filler(green or blue glass). It will not soak up the moisture as bad as standard body filler. Use that as the foundation to your body work. Then top with a standard body filler as DeeVeeEight said:TU: . It is not a restoration fix but it is affordable and Lord knows most of us have been in a position that a drivable repair is good enough....
Depending on how big and deep the hole is you may want to add a backer so that you do not end up using excessive amounts of body filler. Use gloves and a dust mask. :beer
I would like to expand on this if i may. I also am doing bodywork on my car and cannot weld either. I know that the proper way to fix rust is to cut out the offending piece and weld another in. Or replace the piece altogether. I wonder just how many guys out there are using bondo or some other type of patch material, just to get the car presentable and on the road? I think others would like to know as well. Opinions or viewso No: thank you.
We did a car once that had bad door bottoms.We cleaned it up good and put aluminum tape along the rotted door bottom then went ahead with body filler. Crazy as it sounds,this fix lasted 4 yrs in Wisconsins climate.The car was hit and totaled.So Ill never know how long it might have worked. I thought we would only get a year out of it.
