Rust hole (1 Viewer)

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Jun 23, 2016
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Location
Wyoming MI
So starting last year I noticed some paint bubbling right in front of the drivers rear tire, didn't think to much of it with the idea that I'd take care of it in the spring.
Well spring came and there was a small hole, then it kept getting bigger and quick.
I could not figure out why it was happening there and not in the same spot on the other side.
Well, figured it out...the front sunroof drains dump into the rocker panel, the rocker panel is boxed and there are drain holes placed along the pinch welds.
Mine were clogged, not the sunroof drains, but the drains in the rocker panel, so water was just sitting in there eating away at the steel. It dripped extremely slowly so I do not think there was ever a ton of water in there, but still, enough to rust it out.
I ran the left rear tire onto one of my ramps, stuck the garden hose into the rust hole and turned on the water. The rocker filled with water until it overflowed.
Scratched my head, went inside ate lunch, took a nap...then I had a idea. Grabbed some hobby wire and the creeper and started at the back poking the wire into the drain holes and I got drenched.
I bet that thing held 5 gal of water.

My dad is a retired body shop guy so he and I are going to fix it before winter.
But I guess at least now I look like every other car on the road in the Rust Belt.




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Who you calling a rusthole?
 
That is just a little worse than mine. My plan is to media blast the rusted area then treat the open wound with POR15 and forget about it. You may want to check behind the rear mud flaps as well, I bet you find another spot or two of rust.
 
Wow am I ever glad I live in the mild Pacific Northwest! What's rust?
 
That is just a little worse than mine. My plan is to media blast the rusted area then treat the open wound with POR15 and forget about it. You may want to check behind the rear mud flaps as well, I bet you find another spot or two of rust.

We're going to remove the running board and check it all out and go from there.
Running board will go back on, it makes it easier for the kids to get in and out.
 
I know I'm sounding like a broken record, but if you have a clean/rust free truck, do the hundy a favor and have it Krown Rustproofed. There are several opening up in the United States now so you don't even have to go to Canada anymore to have this done. If your truck had been Krown treated, I can absolutely promise you that rust would have never occurred. spike, you're from
My neck of the woods in Michigan so I know some of that water sitting in there could have been an it salty :) even with water sitting there from the drain, the oil would have helped to displace it and maybe prevent the rust? This is my 1998 with 260,000 miles and several winters, and a few ocean beach drives under its belt. And no, I've never painted the undercarriage...
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I know I'm sounding like a broken record, but if you have a clean/rust free truck, do the hundy a favor and have it Krown Rustproofed. There are several opening up in the United States now so you don't even have to go to Canada anymore to have this done. If your truck had been Krown treated, I can absolutely promise you that rust would have never occurred. spike, you're from
My neck of the woods in Michigan so I know some of that water sitting in there could have been an it salty :) even with water sitting there from the drain, the oil would have helped to displace it and maybe prevent the rust? This is my 1998 with 260,000 miles and several winters, and a few ocean beach drives under its belt. And no, I've never painted the undercarriage...View attachment 1520607 View attachment 1520608View attachment 1520609
Hey, what are these Krown shops charging to spraying undercarriage, inside the body cavity's & frame rails etc..?
What is this stuff?
 
I've done quite a bit of auto body work living in the northeast. That's a tough repair as there isn't much metal in that spot to adhere a patch panel too.

Keep us posted on the progress @Spike555 or we might be forced to break your kneecaps;)
 
I know I'm sounding like a broken record, but if you have a clean/rust free truck, do the hundy a favor and have it Krown Rustproofed. There are several opening up in the United States now so you don't even have to go to Canada anymore to have this done. If your truck had been Krown treated, I can absolutely promise you that rust would have never occurred. spike, you're from
My neck of the woods in Michigan so I know some of that water sitting in there could have been an it salty :) even with water sitting there from the drain, the oil would have helped to displace it and maybe prevent the rust? This is my 1998 with 260,000 miles and several winters, and a few ocean beach drives under its belt. And no, I've never painted the undercarriage...View attachment 1520607 View attachment 1520608View attachment 1520609

If I had only known...the undercarriage of your truck looks awesome, especially for Michigan and I am jealous.

Yes I am sure there was some brine in there. I dind't know the drain holes were clogged until I tested my sunroof drains after getting the broken sunroof fixed. I wanted to make sure there was no pieces of glass in them, poured water down the drains, passenger side poured out, drivers side it not.
So, check your sun roof drains people. If they are clogged you can not only develop electrical gremlins but rust holes.
 
Just fluid film it yourself. No need to look for specialty shops to do it. It's not hard if you got some ramps or lift and a couple hours of your time.
 
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Never been painted. But assume what you want. The bolts may appear black because of the dirt accumulated on the Krown mist. Funny how many other people who have never seen my truck assume things about it. Anyway, to answer the earlier question, Krown charges me $120 to mist the truck. This includes drilling the holes the first time and misting every body panel cavity as well as inside the frame, undercarriage and engine bay. Every subsequent application is the same price. They just remove the plastic plugs and then replace them when they're done.
 
Thanks Muddy, $120 is a good price.

I'd like to see POR-15 (or equivalent) painting of the holes! I'd also prefer they use and replace our body plugs where applicable, but I'm sure cost would be more if they did.

We don't have the rust issue with rust here you do, but I've have done if they offer in Denver.
 
Thanks Muddy, $120 is a good price.

I'd like to see POR-15 (or equivalent) painting of the holes! I'd also prefer they use and replace our body plugs where applicable, but I'm sure cost would be more if they did.

We don't have the rust issue with rust here you do, but I've have done if they offer in Denver.
Yeah we don't have rust but they don't have cracked windshields and headlights;)
 
So starting last year I noticed some paint bubbling right in front of the drivers rear tire, didn't think to much of it with the idea that I'd take care of it in the spring.
Well spring came and there was a small hole, then it kept getting bigger and quick.
I could not figure out why it was happening there and not in the same spot on the other side.
Well, figured it out...the front sunroof drains dump into the rocker panel, the rocker panel is boxed and there are drain holes placed along the pinch welds.
Mine were clogged, not the sunroof drains, but the drains in the rocker panel, so water was just sitting in there eating away at the steel. It dripped extremely slowly so I do not think there was ever a ton of water in there, but still, enough to rust it out.
I ran the left rear tire onto one of my ramps, stuck the garden hose into the rust hole and turned on the water. The rocker filled with water until it overflowed.
Scratched my head, went inside ate lunch, took a nap...then I had a idea. Grabbed some hobby wire and the creeper and started at the back poking the wire into the drain holes and I got drenched.
I bet that thing held 5 gal of water.

My dad is a retired body shop guy so he and I are going to fix it before winter.
But I guess at least now I look like every other car on the road in the Rust Belt.




View attachment 1520333 View attachment 1520334
Pure Michigan....
 
Well, figured it out...the front sunroof drains dump into the rocker panel, the rocker panel is boxed and there are drain holes placed along the pinch welds.
Mine were clogged, not the sunroof drains, but the drains in the rocker panel, so water was just sitting in there eating away at the steel. It dripped extremely slowly so I do not think there was ever a ton of water in there, but still, enough to rust it out.

Does anyone has picture of the the drain holes? I went and look but I may have looking at the wrong place. Wondering if there is a way to extend the drain hose so it will dump outside.
 

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