So I've had to shift gears lately on my 1997 that a lot of you have come to be familiar with - it's been less mods, more preservation. There's been rust working it's way through my rockers and rear quarter panel for some time (like many on here) and it finally broke through recently. I could stick my finger into the rocker panels and the paint popped off and rust pushed through the quarter panel.
Unfortunately I'm not as talented as a lot of you guys and this was a problem I didn't have the skills or time to repair myself. Thankfully, I've known this was coming for years, and had been saving money and working on getting estimates from local body shops. I found the right shop and finally brought her in for repairs 2.5 weeks ago. I had the panel cut, patched and repainted, my drivers front door where I'd been keyed back in 2007 fixed, the front fenders where the bumper had rubbed the paint repaired and had the biggest problem, the rockers, redone. They cut out all of the rust, re-welded in new metal, sanded, bondo'ed and repainted everything with the addition of a chip guard coating as well.
I'm very happy with how it all came out. Pictures are below. This will help keep the beast healthy and functioning for many more years.
However, I have a few questions for you guy - especially you body guys (looking at you MONMIX). I did a full detail on her today, and there's still little issues all over the place. Small chips in the paint with tiny rust spots, a flake here, and ding there, etc. What's the best option for these little spots? Dab with rust reformer, touch-up paint, and a dab of clear - basically just do my best to seal them? Just looking to keep prolonging the life as long as I can.
Another thought - the body panels they redid for me look AWESOME. They re-cleared them and the shine is showroom again. You can see in the picture of my door below. What are your thoughts on having the rest of the truck compounded and re-cleared? It would cost a LOT, but it would look awesome and protect the metal/paint very well, I'd think. Is this common? Wise?
Enjoy the pics, and keep fighting the rust beast...
BEFORE:
Rear quarter panel rust breakthrough:
Rear quarter panel paint cracking/peeling:
Rockers:
AFTER:
Rockers all repaired!
Driver's side keyed door, all fixed:
Shot of the rear & trouble quarter panel:
Unfortunately I'm not as talented as a lot of you guys and this was a problem I didn't have the skills or time to repair myself. Thankfully, I've known this was coming for years, and had been saving money and working on getting estimates from local body shops. I found the right shop and finally brought her in for repairs 2.5 weeks ago. I had the panel cut, patched and repainted, my drivers front door where I'd been keyed back in 2007 fixed, the front fenders where the bumper had rubbed the paint repaired and had the biggest problem, the rockers, redone. They cut out all of the rust, re-welded in new metal, sanded, bondo'ed and repainted everything with the addition of a chip guard coating as well.
I'm very happy with how it all came out. Pictures are below. This will help keep the beast healthy and functioning for many more years.
However, I have a few questions for you guy - especially you body guys (looking at you MONMIX). I did a full detail on her today, and there's still little issues all over the place. Small chips in the paint with tiny rust spots, a flake here, and ding there, etc. What's the best option for these little spots? Dab with rust reformer, touch-up paint, and a dab of clear - basically just do my best to seal them? Just looking to keep prolonging the life as long as I can.
Another thought - the body panels they redid for me look AWESOME. They re-cleared them and the shine is showroom again. You can see in the picture of my door below. What are your thoughts on having the rest of the truck compounded and re-cleared? It would cost a LOT, but it would look awesome and protect the metal/paint very well, I'd think. Is this common? Wise?
Enjoy the pics, and keep fighting the rust beast...
BEFORE:
Rear quarter panel rust breakthrough:
Rear quarter panel paint cracking/peeling:
Rockers:
AFTER:
Rockers all repaired!
Driver's side keyed door, all fixed:
Shot of the rear & trouble quarter panel: