Rear Tailgate/hatch is starting to rust

[KillerXLT]

I noticed that the rear hatch on my white 95 Explorer has rust specs all over it. Should I try to use compund to remove the rust specs? Is this bad that I have rust specs? They are tiny specs about the size of a pin head and are only noticable from close up. I think it may have been caused by the salt from this winter. How can I get rid of them? Any ideas? Anyone else experience this problem?

 

[ChrisHeapy]

If it's just a few specks on the outside then it's not too too much of a worry and easy to deal with, but you should lift the tailgate and look for rust on the inside (use a flashlight up through the drainage holes at the bottom edge). If corrosion is evident here then you have a problem - and while you're at it check all the other drain holes and make sure they are not blocked (the doors etc.). I just got through treating the inside of the panels on my '97 and was surprised to see evidence of rust in some places. Waxoil fixed that for good though (but it stinks the car out for weeks).

Chris

 

[Haxaw]

I have the same little specs on my 96 Limited. I am gonna have it taken care of because it seems like there is a little under the bottom lip of the tail gate. It seems like there is some on the bottom edges of the doors too which freaked me out but it only looks like surface rust.
Let me know if ya fing anything out.

 

[dwk55]

I also have rust on 97 Mountaineer. Same areas, on the tailgate and doors where the outside sheet metal is welded to the inside sheet metal. I sanded and repainted with POR-15 and topcoated with touch-up paint. However, next time I think I will prime with Eastwood's Correles product. The POR-15 application was a pain.

 

[KillerXLT]

I didn't have any major just. None on the inside or anything just the specs on the outside. I used compound on the entire rear tailgate and they came off. Then I buffed it w/ wax twice. Problem solved!

 

[dwk55]

The spots I had where a lot larger then a spec and the paint was raised up. At first I thought is was just a bad paint job until I investigated further. I will just pay extra attention to these area's. Keep it as clean as I can in the winter and touch-up it up when needed. I live in upstate NY and this winter was a tough one for cars because of the constant salt on the roads.

 

[KillerXLT]

Here was my prob:

 

[Haxaw]

I hope its not rusting from the inside!!!

I was lokking at it really closely and it looks like little paint bubbles. On the bottme of my tailgate it is definately rusting, I have to get if taken care of quick. DWK55 you are right these upatate NY witers suck a**. I'm gonna have it looked at but I will probably have to get the whole tailgate repainted because I have that pearl coat and it is really hard to match. Money, money I'll tell ya.