Rust on bottom of doors, celicagurl possibly enlisting in your help Options

[kash1355]

So for the past few months I've been trying to get paint job quotes and usually the number one thing that comes up is the rust at the bottom of both my doors. I've been getting quotes from $2000 -$4000 (canadian) to get the job done (colour change from silver to black) and fix the rust, but every shop was saying they would treat it differently. Here were the options:

1. Weld another piece of sheet metal to the bottom half because the lip is soo badly rusted
2. Sandblast all the rust and the fill it with bondo (???)
3. Sandblast the rust, dip it in some kind of acid (i guess to prevent the rust from coming back) and then fiberglass the holes.
4. lol, obviously get new doors (but it's really hard to track them down in canada)

Which is the best option (most proper) to go with... (and on a side note is the $2000 - $4000 a fair price range?)

Here are some pics of the rust...(sorry about the size but i wanted you to really see the rust good )

[celicurr]

my doors are in about the same condition...
I'm thinking of heading down to some Toyota junkyard in Pennsylvania that someone mentioned... as soon as I find out where it is again lol

[Rayme]

I have the same problem...I'll bondo the doors myself, the cheap way, and see how long it lasts..if it comes back, I'll just bring them to a body shop.

[Batman722]

common problem for a lot of us

my story and some solutions by other members

http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=23629
teaser pic

[uberschall]

i'm going to hack it myself too. i'm going to try using por-15 rust paint to exterminate the heavy spots, fill, and probably rattle-can it. all i want is for my repairs to keep it from getting any worse while i save money to have it done right next year.

[bdog_v]

Well I have a ton of experience dealing with rust. I live in Wisconsin and have tried tons of different rust paints and on various cars.

-Your best option is to cut out the rusted spots and weld in new metal. I always lost my rust battles over the years so I gave up a few years ago and bought a mig welder, now I can weld in new metal. If done properly it is alot like getting a new door with no rust.

-Your other cheaper option not as expensive and you could probably do yourself. Is to
1. sand down the rust spots, you must go down to bare metal use either a sand blaster or a round
wire brush that goes into your drill from a hardware store. * Get all of the lose rust removed*
2. Next *this is the most critical step* you must use an excellent rust stopping primer!!!
-In my opinion after years of use, I will only use (Eastwoods rust encapsulator primer)
This is due to the fact that it actually stops rust and is easy to use! It is just one step!
All other magical rust stopping paints like por-15 need many steps to apply. YOU can either brush
it on or buy it in a can. *you will have to order it from Eastwood company just google them*
Make sure to follow the directions and use at least *2 coats* if you don't the rust will come through
again. *Note this rust primer must go directly on the bare metal, not over the bondo!!!!!*
3. Next if you made any holes through the door when you sanded they need to be patched. I
recommend using a fiberglass filler material that uses the cloth strips and hardening resin as
they are tougher and resist moisture. * If you use bondo or fiberglass bondo without the resin and
cloth you will see your new paint get bubbles in it in a few months from moisture which turns into rust. Some of these products will say they resist moisture, but they don't actually stop it!!! So don't use them!!!!
4. Finally, have a spray can made to match your paint color, use bondo to smooth out any rough edges
left over from fiberglassing or the rust pits and paint!!!! The more practice you have the better it will turn out...... But this process can be done by the do it yourselfer I did this on the bottoms my celica doors a year ago and the rust has not come back..... Ask me any questions I could write a book on this topic!!!!!!!!!!!!

[azian_advanced]

toyota did not do a good job on the drainage on most car doors.. my 89 celica has the same design drainage as my current 95.
a common thing i've been doing is swaying the door to release all free water inside the door after a rain or car wash so they shift forward and back forcing them to come out in either holes.

i like doGGy's idea in simply drilling more holes (mainly on the front and rear) and possibly painting it with undercarriage protection spray to prevent further rust.

[bdog_v]

-Adding extra drainage holes is always a good idea but the best rust preventative measure would be to pull the interior paneling off so you can get inside the door and rub axle greas along the bottom half of the door.

-Next get an oil spray can and fill it with waste oil and spray it into the entire bottom of the door let it drain out all of the drain holes. *Only oil can seep into all the nicks and crannies that we can't get at to sand or apply paint. *Do this once a year and your doors won't rust out if done properly.!!! I do this to all of my cars I have hand built and boughten like my celica.......

*This is an old timer body man's secret that really works so use it to your advantage and prepare to be amazed!!!!!!

[celicurr]

^^ thanks for the tip!!

[OOBE]

LOL we do that here but we use diesel, heheh.

[mzztoyota]

I bondo-d and painted a door similar to that...it didn't last...so don't bondo, lol...