Rust- what to do now?

[DesertLCruiser]

My vehicle is developing rust rather quickly. What's the best next step. The frame does have rust. Not terrible. I live in the North East.
What are the options for rust underneath the car? Would coating work?

 

[MongooseGA]

Take it back to the desert.

 

[Kabanstva]

Where are pics of the underneath? And there’s no way that type of rust just quickly developed over night lol. You must’ve seen that crap start a while ago.

 

[RND1]

I live in the same area as you. If the wheel wells and rockers are rusty, the undercarriage is typically worse unless it's been treated. As you know, rust is an on going battle with the amount of salt they put on our roads. I'd recommend getting the rockers and fenders repaired, but be prepared for the rust to be far worse than you see on the surface. Could be a $$$ repair.

For the undercarriage, depending on how bad it is, NH Oil Undercoating used to offer a "rustoration" where they would remove all the scaly rust underneath and then apply their oil. Not sure if they still offer this service. If it's not that bad, just get some cans of fluid film and go to town.

 

[Mike NXP]

Seems fine, bash up and scratch the doors in some tight trails and you wont even notice the rust.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

For the body rust I'd first put something like POR15 on it to encapsulate it and try to prevent it from spreading further. Beyond that, body work gets spendy quick.

 

[dubdub20003]

As a former Mass. person myself, acknowledging you have a problem is the first step! I think part of it is just losing the idea that it will continue to look perfect. Trying to cut it, grind it, fill it, sand it, paint it etc, all with a hope of getting it to look like there never was rust is a waste of energy. I would focus all the attention to grinding it down to bare metal and then sealing it up well. In the places/parts that it is not really feasible to grind to smooth metal, there are a number of "rust converters" out there that can be worth it. Locktite has a "Navy Jelly" as well, in addition to a POR-15 product. Grind as much a you can, treat the rest, and then protect it again with a layer of paint or some sealant. It may look patchy, but at least you are slowing the spread.

 

[BnvS]

As a former Mass. person myself, acknowledging you have a problem is the first step! I think part of it is just losing the idea that it will continue to look perfect. Trying to cut it, grind it, fill it, sand it, paint it etc, all with a hope of getting it to look like there never was rust is a waste of energy. I would focus all the attention to grinding it down to bare metal and then sealing it up well. In the places/parts that it is not really feasible to grind to smooth metal, there are a number of "rust converters" out there that can be worth it. Locktite has a "Navy Jelly" as well, in addition to a POR-15 product. Grind as much a you can, treat the rest, and then protect it again with a layer of paint or some sealant. It may look patchy, but at least you are slowing the spread.

Well said....accept the problem..embrace it.. and just fix it.. or move down South so you will have no problem with rust at all.

 

[excessive]

you havre 2 options:

1. spray it with an inhibitor and live with it (fluidfilm or the like) $
2. cut out the bad metal, have new sections fabbed and welded in, sand , prime, paint, etc. $$$$

it all depends on what your long term plans are

 

[whitec13]

Looking at your problem areas, they are much worse where your can’t see. If you remove those steps or your rear bumper cover, you will find more and worse than you can see now. Like everyone else said, where you live there’s not much you can do, just run it. Or get crazy like I did and just chop your rockers out and weld in some 2x6 tubing and send it!