Rocker panel paint texture...factory?

[codertimt]

Hey guys, first post here. Really trying to find a way to get into a 100 and took a look at a 2000 today. Noticed a few 1/8 - 1/4 inch size rust spots/paint bubbling on the rear door sills where the plastic meets the metal. So that prompted me to look more closely at the rockers. So my actual questions...

1) Is the rough texture on the lower rocker panels from the factory or has something been repaired/covered?
2) Is the door sill surface rust common? This was a FL vehicle that has made it's way to AR, so I was a bit surprised and put off by even this small amount of rust.

Thanks for any thoughts/opinions/information.
Tim

 

[2000UZJ]

The texture on the rocker panels is more or less a OEM "bed liner". It's not bullet proof, it will chip. However it's much more resistant to chipping than the body paint. It should only be on the rocker panels. Door sill surface rust is something that may of been caused by the PO. Pictures of the rust would help. Does it have fender flares?

 

[phsycle]

I'm not in front of my LC right now, but I do believe that the lower panels have texturing to them. I personally haven't seen rust come through in that area, even looking at LC's in the rust belt. But aside from that, I wonder what the undercarriage looks like and how big of a pain it will be dealing with rust doing maintenance and repair.

 

[codertimt]

Wish I would have snapped a quick picture at the time, but did not do so. It was one of those quick lunch hour "I think I'll check this out" sort of things. Here is a random pic I grabbed and highlighted the area just to be clear of where I am referring to. One 1/4" size rust spot and a few paint bubbles all along where that plastic sill protector meets the metal...

Yes, it does have flairs...and running boards. Quick glance at the undercarriage didn't show anything obvious. Pretty clean, actually. CVs are a little greasy...not too bad...but will probably call for a rebooting. Otherwise front end also looked pretty clean.

92K, timing belt done...currently way overpriced(IMO). Will probably let it sit for a few weeks and if it's still there spend some real time looking it over. If nothing besides that topside rust shows up, may put in a lowball offer and see what happens.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

That sounds like how mine was. There is a little surface rust on my driver's side door sill where the pastic cover rubs against the paint.

 

[GaFJC]

It is highly unlikely that is the only rust spot(s) but rather what only what you can see.

I'd rather spend my money on PM and mods than rust repair - it is on going 99% of the time.

Surface corrosion is one thing but bubbles can very different.