Ehh, bad news

[F14CRAZY]

Today I decided that it was time to undercoat my rocker panels. I was going to use that Mar Hide spray stuff that I have also used to undercoat the bottom of the vehicle. My running boards have been off for a few days, because I did not have time during the week to tackle the project. The rocker panels and dog leg (or whatever you call it) looked pretty good. I traveled pretty far out of Michigan (Pennsylvania) to get this Ex, because as usual, they all suffer from the same cancer around these parts. No rust holes or excess on the outside. With a wire brush attachment on my drill, I ground off the tiny patches of rust. I also used a knife to scratch some off when...ah! My knife went through the dog leg! Kinda felt like cardboard. It really sucked. On the inside I found a rusty, gooey, nasty kind of stuff like mud. (the culprit obviously) I've had the truck for less than a year, so I don't think I could have done much to prevent it. As far as rust, everything on this rig is nice. I did a search of old posts and found replacement rocker panels and dog legs. autostyles.com seemed to be the cheapest. I'm gonna order a full set and try to do it myself. My dad's Dremel and his new welder should do the job. Anything else I should know? With the new parts, I'm going to prime, paint (I'm thinking Rust o leum in rattle cans) and coat the insides with the Marhide stuff. Is there a better way to to this part? The outside will be primed and painted also, and I should be able to coat a lot of it because the running boards hide the uglyness of the coating. When its open, I'm going to coat whatever else I can reach inside like the rear quarter fenders.

My dad suggested to drill a hole (or several) in the dog leg so that water and moisture can dry it. Is this a good idea, or is it better to keep it sealed and let the primer, paint, and coating do the job?

Another thing; I have some Loctite cold galvanizing compound in rattle cans. It has a primer like feel to it and I'm curious to know if that would be better to use instead of rattle can primer. I haven't used it with cars before, so I don't really know how good the stuff is, or, should I use it WITH the primer? If so, what should go on first?

I know that it isn't urgent because its not rusting through, but I'll be able to sleep better at night knowing I've got solid stuff.

And no, I'm not going to do a half ass job with fiberglass or bondo or "Japanese metal" (no offense meant), so don't try to talk me into that...

I want to keep this truck for a really long time and not have to worry about it rusting through again anytime soon.

Thanks guys. I owe you one.

 

[MONMIX]

Keep it sealed.
Cut out ALL, ALL, ALL, the rust.
Use zinc weld through primer, prior to welding and then regular primer.
Be generous with the seam sealer too

 

[F14CRAZY]

Monmix: thanks for the reply. I know you've given me good replies about rust in the past.

 

[chris c]

Originally posted by F14CRAZY

And no, I'm not going to do a half ass job with fiberglass or bondo or "Japanese metal" (no offense meant), so don't try to talk me into that...

how do you expect to smooth the bead from the welder without filling it with fiberglass?

i welded new dog legs on my x, had to replace part of the rocker also. i believe i ordered mine from rustrepair.com but also believe that there is only one manufacturer for the dog leg. meaning where ever you buy it you'll get the same piece.

i cut the bad metal [rust] out, cut the rocker / dog leg to the size i wanted, weld them in, ground down the bead, primed, filled the bead groove with fiberglass, worked with lightweight body filler to smooth it all out. prime again, sand with 400, use a sealer and then paint.

 

[88vert]

You could always use POR-15 too

 

[F14CRAZY]

Thanks for the feedback.

Chris c: I meant that I would not use fiberglass or bondo to fill in the hole where metal used to be. I know that I will have to use a little bit for the weld bead.

I do know of someone that used bondo and canned foam (like for use as house insulation) to re-create his dog legs. It actually looks pretty good...(but I couldn't sleep at night if it was on my truck)

 

[MONMIX]

Originally posted by F14CRAZY
I do know of someone that used bondo and canned foam (like for use as house insulation) to re-create his dog legs. It actually looks pretty good...(but I couldn't sleep at night if it was on my truck)

Thank GOD !!!!!!!!!!


btw I would try to avoid Bondo brand body filler.
Go with Evercoat.
Preferably Rage Gold.