Temporary rust control

73Weezer · Post by **73Weezer** » Wed Jul 16, 2003 10:42 am

My 73 standard bug has some serious rust around the half moon
vent on both sides. When I cut and weld it a repair panel it will
require replacing the glass seals for both the side and rear windows.

I won't be ready to do the permanent repair for at least 6 months,
but am wondering about a fiberglass or other type of patch that
would allow me to cut out the rust and treat the area to prevent
more damage while I wait. The worst side will be about 12 inches
by 15 inches, so it's a good sized chunk.

Any experiences, suggestions?

Kubel Nick · Post by **Kubel Nick** » Wed Jul 16, 2003 11:59 am

I'd just rust prevent it (primer, POR15 or whatever) for now then cut it out when the resto time comes. It'll be more hassle then it's worth doing a temp repair panel if it's going to be repaired in the semi-near future IMO.

59buggin · Post by **59buggin** » Wed Jul 16, 2003 1:15 pm

I would do it right the first time. I drove my 1959 around with $3500.00 worth of rust repair (not to smart of a idea I found out when I took it apart). Remember one thing, once you start you will find alot more

. Good Luck with the cancer cure, I am about 97% finished with my cancer cure

. Soon I can start putting it back together

Jason

6v · Post by 6v » Wed Jul 16, 2003 3:57 pm

The best thing I can recommend would be wire brushing it and then painting it with Eastwood's Rust Encapsulator or some similar product, then cheapo spray can to seal it up. Find all the rust you can, because anything you don't treat will be getting worse as you wait. If there's rust, scrape, treat, and paint. Don't be chicken about stripping paint off. No pain no gain. This approach will look like crap until you fix it for real, but it looks better than rust, and the rustic appearance might provide some extra motivation to get it done right and soon.

Bobnotch · Post by **Bobnotch** » Thu Jul 17, 2003 6:13 am

I'd wait until I'm ready to do the job correctly. What is causeing the rust is the foam VW put in for sound insulation (keeps the engine noise out of the interior). This stuff holds water and rusts out from the inside. I've done this type of repair twice, and its not the easiest to do, unless you have plenty of time. Also when you finally open it up you might find that the area is even larger than you thought. Any temp fix will be just that temporary, to fix it so it will stop requires surgury. So you have 2 choices, 1) fix it right and forget it, or 2) drive it like it is until you can fix it right. I hope this helps.

73Weezer · Post by **73Weezer** » Thu Jul 17, 2003 12:33 pm

Thanks for the replies. This is my daily driver, so I've been
waiting under the "do it once" theory, but the rust is really
spreading.

Good news is I convinced my better half that getting another
VW to drive while doing repairs on the first car is a good thing.
Now I have to decide whether to get a bus or a baja for fishing
and gen'l horsing around.

73superBay · Post by **73superBay** » Thu Jul 24, 2003 11:32 am

I have the same, as do so many bugs but I don't have the garage to do it in. My problem isn't that bad and in the 3 yrs of owning the car, has spread v. little. I was wondering b/c I want to do some body work if it's worth having a shop look at it. they will inevitably charge an outrageous fee I imagine but is it worth it. I've put more work than this into the car and can't just swap it for a better rust free body!

59buggin · Post by **59buggin** » Thu Jul 24, 2003 11:57 am

73Weezer -

I know a guy who dose this out of his garage up on Bald Peak. He is VERY cheep compared to other shops here in town and has been doing it for 27 years (use to be Mike's VW in Tigard). He has two Flawless 1959's sitting around his shop, one rag top show car (that he restored) and one daily driver with a 2180cc in it (that he has had for 20 years). Check it out and you will know how good he is. Let me know if you are interested and I'll send you his name and phone number. This is a great guy to know, he has been there for me countless times and has saved me thousands of dollars over the years.

Jason

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