Is This Rusty Hatch Salvageable?

[fumetsu]

I'm calling all body experts for help.

I'm trying to decide if it will be worth the time and effort to strip this down and repaint, maybe with Line-X or POR-15 with a topcoat. This type of rust pattern is something I see in ~50% of trucks around Michigan. I'm sure the rear windshield seal is nonfunctional and hence must be replaced in order to do this properly and fix the root of the problem. It doesn't help that Toyota decided to use moisture-retaining foam things by the license plate lights and the handle.

Given how what you see on rust is usually the tip of the iceberg, should I just get a used, rust-free hatch from a salvaged vehicle from the South instead of delaying the inevitable? I'm fine riding around like this, but it's just an eyesore that I'd like to address if worth the time.

Postimage.org / gallery - 20160411 185502, 20160411 185507, 20160411 185523

 

[badlander]

I'd say skip it. Look for a used one in better shape and just have it painted. Trying to fix rust like that is a waste of time in my opinion. You'll never get all of the rust out and after all the hard work it will just come back and piss you off. Plus, you wont even be able to get to all of the rust that's on the inside.

 

[TXLX100]

I'm calling all body experts for help.

I'm trying to decide if it will be worth the time and effort to strip this down and repaint, maybe with Line-X or POR-15 with a topcoat. This type of rust pattern is something I see in ~50% of trucks around Michigan. I'm sure the rear windshield seal is nonfunctional and hence must be replaced in order to do this properly and fix the root of the problem. It doesn't help that Toyota decided to use moisture-retaining foam things by the license plate lights and the handle.

Given how what you see on rust is usually the tip of the iceberg, should I just get a used, rust-free hatch from a salvaged vehicle from the South instead of delaying the inevitable? I'm fine riding around like this, but it's just an eyesore that I'd like to address if worth the time.

Postimage.org / gallery - 20160411 185502, 20160411 185507, 20160411 185523

You nailed it. The rust you can see is usually 10% of how bad it is on body parts.