Damn, hatch rust got me.

[mooker82]

Yeah i figured there would be no way to do anything with that.. I just dont really think of these vehicles as being 7-14 years old....Im scared to look at mine even though it has spent its whole life in South Carolina...has anyone removed a side window to see if there are problems on the side vwindows where the rubber shrinks?

 

[semlin]

yuck, this is scaring me. Doc any idea what is involved $ wise to simply re and re the glass and fill the pinch seal assuming you have no rust? I would have thought a glass shop could pull the glass cheaply.

BTW a used donor hatch might have invisible problems as well.

 

[Doc]

Mook- my drivers side rear cargo window also has rust, but around the seal, not by the shrinking part. It's also getting fixed, but is a much smaller patch of cancer.

No idea on pulling and re-installing the glass cost. My guess would be about $100-$150. That's a pure guess though.

 

[Doc]

Oh, and if you look at the picture of the large patch of rust you can see it *conveniently* stops right before the edge of the window seal. Kept it out of view.

 

[CDN_Cruiser]

Ahhh yes, I see you looking at this and wondering if this can happen to you, hoping that it doesn't

As you may have seen from my other post, this is a problem and it's a very expensive fix if you delay. I had two spots on the rear below the glass and found a quarter sized dimple at the front on top of the windshield.

I opted to go for a new OEM hatch - YMMV. I did some break even analysis of the cost to rebuild the hatch, buy used and decided that the incremental cost wasn't enough not to go for a new hatch. This repair, including a proper repaint (top, pillars, hatch) was a shade under C$3,000 / US$2,500.

Off the floor yet? Based on Mutchell estimate 13.1hrs of body labour at C$45/US$37 per hour, 8.4 hrs of refinish and 3.2 hrs of glass. C$1,420/$Us1180 in parts.

Included remove/install front and rear glass, weatherstrip, repair and refinishing roof panel, remove and install headliner (to allow welding at front end), painting, etc

Have a look, it may save you some $$

Cheers, Hugh

 

[Kalawang]

Anybody here ever tried a rust converter ? I had some rust on my PIAA driving lights a couple of years ago and simply exposed the metal, brushed on the converter, let it sit for a couple of hours, ( that was the hard part, but the rust was so thick you could scrape it with a screw driver ) rinsed thoroughly and let air dry for another hour, and finally brushed some paint all over the treated portion.

I've looked at it a couple of times since but haven't seen any signs of rust, just the same sloppily applied paint.

I'm sorry I can't remember the name of the rust converter. I just picked it up somewhere and used it. There were some choices, but I did my usual. I chose the cheapest one and it came in a gallon jug.


Kalawang

 

[e9999]

OK, went and had a look at mine.
Nothing visible from the outside.
In fact, it appears that the rubber seal was glued on the metal. Can't lift the edge of it at all. Hopefully, this contributes to a good seal.
Removed the inner handle cover and peeked inside.
No rust to be seen anywhere.
I hope this means I'm in the clear.
Conclusion: may help to have the window seal glued on (as is the case for the windshield...)!
Also, noticed that there are weep holes on the bottom of the hatch. Better to keep these open in case water would accumulate inside the hatch.

 

[Arya Ebrahimi]

Doc, I was under the impression that unsealed body filler would absorb moisture and hold it there, effectively causing more rust. I could be wrong, but it's definately something I would look into before applying it to a rust prone area....

Ary

 

[reffug]

Smartest thing you've posted.

I understand your sentiment TX but it should IMHO be reworded to "Least stupid thing you've posted."

 

[TX_TLC]

I understand your sentiment TX but it should IMHO be reworded to "Least stupid thing you've posted."

Fixed it!

 

[Doc]

Doc, I was under the impression that unsealed body filler would absorb moisture and hold it there, effectively causing more rust. I could be wrong, but it's definately something I would look into before applying it to a rust prone area....

Ary

They sprayed over the filler, nice smooth edge now.